Ryan Sharkey Named CW’s SVP, Programming And Content Strategy

Ryan Sharkey on Tuesday was appointed senior vice president, programming and content strategy for The CW. He will spearhead the strategic growth of The CW network as well as its AVOD platform and FAST channel extensions.

Sharkey will lead the scheduling and acquisitions teams to optimize programming across all platforms including identifying co-productions and innovative strategies to create compelling content offerings. Sharkey will be based in New York.

Brad Schwartz, The CW Network president of entertainment, said: “As The CW explores new content that will resonate with viewers on both our linear and streaming channels, Ryan is the ideal candidate to lead our programming team. With Ryan’s vast experience in all areas of network scheduling and acquisitions, we’re confident he will set The CW up for immeasurable success.”

Sharkey said: “The CW is going through an exciting transformation, and I’m thrilled to join the team at this opportune time to grow the network and its digital platforms into a profitable destination for premier programming. I look forward to leveraging my long-standing industry partnerships, financial background and creative dealmaking skills to enhance the intense work Brad and his team have put into this transition. Brad is an energizing creative force, and I can’t wait to partner with him.”

Most recently, Sharkey was SVP, content acquisitions for NBCUniversal where he curated programming across the NBCUniversal cable networks, broadcast TV and streaming portfolio. He joined NBC in 2002 after training on GE’s corporate audit staff. He started his NBCUniversal career as a financial analyst responsible for the programming budgets at CNBC then USA Network and Syfy Channel.

Sharkey has been instrumental in developing and executing NBCUniversal’s aggressive content acquisitions strategy.  Leveraging his well-established relationships, financial acumen, and creative deal making skills, he led negotiations for major IP across Peacock and the NBCU networks. Among his many credits are the Universal film output deal, the Harry Potter franchise and Modern Family along with executing the first acquisitions deals for Peacock in preparation for its launch in 2020.

He earned his bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Notre Dame.