MGM Television and Mark Burnett Announce Multi Year Production Deal with Bethenny Frankel

  • Print

MGM Television and Mark Burnett, Worldwide Television Group Chairman, partner with entrepreneur, television personality, author, philanthropist, Bethenny Frankel for a multi-year deal for unscripted development expanding upon Frankel's previous television and business experiences.

Frankel represented herself in the deal along with attorneys Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C‎

Frankel got her start as a contestant on "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" in 2005 and then later joined the team on "Shark Tank", both produced by MGM Worldwide Television Group Chairman Mark Burnett. Now, the development deal will include work for unscripted projects where Frankel will serve as an executive producer and/or appear on-camera.

"We are thrilled to have Bethenny Frankel join the MGM television family and bring her unique entertainment savvy that has been loved by viewers since her appearance on 'The Apprentice and Shark Tank,'" said Burnett.


2019 Tribeca Film Festival® Announces Feature Film Lineup For 18th Edition

"Bethenny is a force. Her energy, attitude and entrepreneurial experience aligns perfectly with what we have planned for MGM in the years ahead for new network, cable, SVOD and syndication series," says Barry Poznick, President, unscripted television for MGM Television Group.

"I am truly honored, humbled and grateful to be working with the powerhouse game changer Mark Burnett, the innovative Barry Posnick and to have access to the unparalleled resources at MGM television. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I intend to maximize its potential," said Frankel.


MGM Television Is Building A Tortilla Curtain with Will Scheffer and Mark Olsen

Bethenny Frankel is a self-made businesswoman, TV producer, multiple New York Times bestselling author, and mother. Bethenny is the Founder & CEO of Skinnygirl, a lifestyle brand offering practical solutions to women, including the recent launch of the Skinnygirl Jeanswear Collection, which sold out on HSN within its first few hours.  She is a star in the popular Bravo series "The Real Housewives of New York City" and can be seen as a shark on ABC's critically acclaimed series "Shark Tank." Bethenny became an instant fan favorite, showcasing her entrepreneurial prowess and gut instincts alongside the panel of investors.

As a runner up on "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart," her success then led her to Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City," which at the time, was the highest rated series in Bravo history. This followed with the spin-off series, "Bethenny Getting Married?" and "Bethenny Ever After…"


Alejandro González Iñárritu Jury President of the Festival de Cannes 2019

Viewers were captivated by her wit, wisdom and humor as they followed her personal life becoming a mother and her professional journey creating the Skinnygirl empire. She eventually brought her distinct voice and candid point of view to "Bethenny," where she hosted her nationally syndicated daytime talk show program. Bethenny started her own TV production company, B Real-ity, producing two seasons of FYI's "Food Porn," and was the creator, producer and star of Bravo's hit real estate show "Bethenny and Fredrik."

Bethenny has also been named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Celebrities by Forbes and graced their cover in 2011. She recently was seen on the cover of AdWeek as a challenger brand creator.

Bethenny's life's experiences had inspired her to help other women in crisis find their own strength and resilience with the launch of B Strong, in partnership with Dress for Success. B Strong then evolved into B Strong: Disaster Relief, creating a worldwide initiative, aiding in devastated areas such as Texas, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Mexico, North Carolina and Florida. 

About MGM Television 

MGM Television is an award-winning, leading producer and global distributor of premium content for television and digital platforms, with distribution rights to original productions and a robust catalogue of television episodes and feature film titles including such premiere entertainment franchises as James Bond, Rocky, Stargate and The Hobbit trilogy. 

Current scripted and unscripted projects include The Voice (NBC); Survivor (CBS); Shark Tank (ABC); TKO: Total Knock Out (CBS); The Contender (EPIX); Beat Shazam (FOX); The World's Best (CBS) and Lucha Underground (The El Rey Network); and through its distribution entity, Orion TV Productions, the syndicated daytime courtroom series Lauren Lake's Paternity Court and Couples Court with The Cutlers. In addition, MGM owns Evolution Media, producers of The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules, and Botched (E!); and Big Fish Entertainment, producers of A&E's Live PD, the Black Ink Crew franchise for VH1, Live PD Presents: Women on Patrol for Lifetime and Hustle & Soul for WE TVFargo (FX); Vikings (HISTORY); The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu); Get Shorty (EPIX);and  Condor (AT&T AUDIENCE Network). MGM's television programming regularly airs in more than 100 countries worldwide.  For more information, visitwww.mgm.com.

Image credit Jamie Cody