Lionsgate, Roy Bank in unscripted pact

Lionsgate is plunging much deeper into unscripted TV, announcing a general 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 get from MGE the development and development slate he was on while still with this company. One project which will come to Lionsgate consequently is really a new ABC game show, "Billion Dollar Mind Game," that will premiere March. 23 within an mid-day time slot. One of the other unscripted series which come over from Banca include NBC summer time 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 brings together the type of expertise and business spirit we prize so highly," stated Kevin Beggs, leader of Lionsgate TV. "He's had impressive success being an innovative producer and industry executive, and that we anticipate a thrilling collaboration." Lionsgate signaled its intent to complete more unscripted programming this past year. In March, the studio inked Eli Frankel, senior Vice president development at Magical Elves, to some two-year overall cope with its TV division. Frankel assisted shepherd reality hits including "Top Chef" and "Project Runway," John Veskosky will join Banca as executive Vice president. Mark Itkin and WME were instrumental in putting the offer together. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com