Ex-Warner Bros formats executive Adam Steinman resurfaces at Disney

Former Warner Bros International Television Production (WBITVP) formats executive Adam Steinman has resurfaced at Disney under a newly inked development and production deal.

Adam Steinman

Through the deal, the veteran exec will work alongside Walt Disney Television Alternative, the division led by Disney’s executive VP of unscripted and alternative entertainment Rob Mills, to create, identify and produce new and existing unscripted formats.

Steinman is working via Mount Royal Films, the LA-based TV and film formats company he launched after exiting WBITVP earlier this year. Steinman serves as president and founder of the recently launched entity.

Steinman, a regular presence at industry events and panels, previously served as the VP of creative, format, development and sales for WBITVP from 2016 to 2023. Before that, he was WBITVP’s VP of non-scripted international development and sales from 2010 to 2016.

He exited the company earlier this year, with former Fremantle exec Harry Gamsu stepping into the role.

During his time with WBITVP, Steinman worked on the development, acquisition and global launches of factual titles including Impractical Jokers, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Who Do You Think You Are?, Back in Time for Dinner, The Gift, Ellen’s Game of Games and The Wheel.

On the scripted side during his time with WBITVP, he secured a first-look deal between Korean broadcaster KBS and Warner Bros Television, as well as identifying the Israeli drama Dumb, which was later picked up by WBITVP in several European markets, among other deals.

Earlier in his career, Steinman was VP of development and production at Tiger Aspect (2006-2010) and before that he was head of development at Lion Television (2004-2006).

The news was first reported by UK trade publication Broadcast and subsequently confirmed to C21 by sources. Disney declined to comment.