'Below Deck' Producer 51 Minds Gets New President

Banijay Americas is undergoing changes in the C-suite of its unscripted TV business.

Christian Sarabia is exiting as president of 51 Minds Entertainment, the producer of Bravo’s Below Deck franchise, Netflix’s Marriage or Mortgage, and VH1’s T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle. Sarabia was promoted to president of 51 Minds in 2014, just a few years after it was acquired by Endemol (Endemol would go on to sell itself to Banijay in 2020).

Julie Pizzi, the president of Bunim/Murray Productions, will add oversight of 51 Minds, and will continue to report to Banijay Americas CEO Ben Samek.

Related Stories

“I’d like to thank Christian for everything he’s given to 51 Minds Entertainment, especially across the last decade as its President, and wish him tremendous success as he sets course on his next adventure,” said Samek in a statement. “Julie Pizzi is one of the most successful and prolific executives in the industry and a powerful storyteller. She has been extraordinarily impactful as President of BMP, and I’m so pleased she’s agreed to add 51 Minds to her oversight.”

“51 Minds has been my home for two decades, and the decision to leave was not an easy one. While I will truly miss the extraordinary team that makes it such an incredibly creative and vibrant place, I look forward to building something new in my next chapter and continuing to contribute to the pop culture landscape,” said Sarabia. Adding, “When I shared my plans with Ben, his support was resounding. I am grateful to him and to Banijay and am thrilled to see Julie, a brilliant leader and colleague, take the reins of a company that has meant so much to me.”

51 Minds and BMP are among a number of production companies owned by Banijay Americas, which also owns Endemol Shine North America, Truly Original and Authentic Entertainment, all dominant players in the unscripted TV space.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbvLpbCwp5%2BZv6a8zqurnqpemLyue8GuqqKmlajAcK7UrKCnnaOoeq%2Bx1qxmnKCinsC1tcCnZKyZopavqq2Mnq%2BirJmjtG6uxKWmsGWUmrCsec%2Brpp2tk5q%2FboGQZqSippSoenJ%2Bkm5taWtpZoBw