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Speaker Nicholas Oakley
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As Senior Vice President, Unscripted Development, Nicholas Oakley is a key leader responsible for working with the LA Productions Unscripted team to conceive and develop original content ideas and build domestic and global formats across
entertainment and factual for BBC Studios’ fast-growing unscripted production business.
Oakley has established himself on both sides of the pond over the course of his 20-year career, having worked extensively in the U.S. and UK as both a network buyer and as a producer/seller. Before joining BBC Studios, Oakley was the Head of Development at Mission Control Media, where he developed and sold a wide array of game shows and competition series, working with partners including Amazon, CBS, HBO Max, HGTV, Netflix, and Paramount+. Prior to that, he ran West Coast Development for the HLN network at CNN, where he played a key role in bringing in the network’s first slate of
original non-news series and overseeing the development of docuseries, prank shows,
travel formats, and game shows.
Oakley has also held roles at Tinopolis-owned U.K. production company Mentorn, where he was instrumental in setting up projects at a range of networks, including Food Network, Discovery, Style, CMT, and MTV International; MTV, where he oversaw multiple pilots and series as VP of Development; and ITV Studios, first in London, where he helped develop BAFTA-winning variety shows, game shows, and competition series, and then in Los Angeles, launching U.S. versions of British hits including Hell’s Kitchen, Nanny 911, and Celebrity Fit Club.
Oakley began his career at the BBC in London, working as a researcher on late night comedy shows and daytime talk shows, and casting contestants on prime time game shows, including Weakest Link. He holds a BA Hons degree from the University of Kent and is based in Los Angeles.
Speaking on: FORMAT FOCUS: IT’S ALL ABOUT IP
