Lionsgate, Roy Bank in unscripted pact

Lionsgate is plunging much much deeper into unscripted TV, announcing an over-all deal Tuesday with Roy Bank, former leader of television at Merv Griffin Entertainment. The studio will both enter a partnership with Bank's own shingle, Banca Studio, and obtain from MGE the expansion and development slate he was on while still with this particular company. One project that will arrived at Lionsgate consequently can be a new ABC game show, "Big Mind Game," which will premiere March. 23 inside an mid-evening slot. Among the other unscripted series that can come over from Banca include NBC summer season game show "It's Worth What?" and Bloomberg Television's "The Mentor." Before joining MGE in 2008, Bank offered as mind of production at Mark Burnett Prods., where his credits include "The Apprentice" and "Rockstar: INXS." "Roy includes the kind of expertise and business spirit we prize so highly," mentioned Kevin Beggs, leader of Lionsgate TV. "He's had impressive success becoming an innovative producer and industry executive, which we anticipate a fantastic collaboration." Lionsgate signaled its intent to accomplish more unscripted programming a year ago. In March, the studio inked Eli Frankel, senior V . p . development at Magical Elves, with a two-year overall deal with its TV division. Frankel aided shepherd reality hits including "Top Chef" and "Project Runway," John Veskosky will join Banca as executive V . p .. Mark Itkin and WME were instrumental in putting the sale together. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com