Thomas Vitale
Executive Vice President, Programming and Original Movies, Syfy
Vitale has been with Syfy since its first year. He has been part of the strategic team that has moved Syfy into a top-five rated cable network with a sharply defined brand identity, and an ever-expanding lineup of strong original and acquired series and movies. He did the deals that brought the Stargate programs to Syfy, one of the network’s most successful franchises. Vitale has also acquired scores of high profile theatrical movies for Syfy. And recently, he completed a deal for Ghost Whisperer off CBS.
On the original side, Vitale has made the Channel into one of the largest producers of films on television with Syfy’s original movies for Syfy Saturday: The Most Dangerous Night of Television. The high-octane film franchise is aimed at the "popcorn" audience, with original fare that features a potent mix of sci-fi creatures, disasters and adrenaline-pumping action. Vitale is also responsible for developing Syfy’s original two-hour event documentaries, including "Mystery of the Crystal Skulls," which broke audience records for the Channel in 2008.
A fan of science fiction, fantasy and horror, Vitale has become a favorite voice among genre fans through his monthly “TV on TV” column in SCI FI Magazine. He has reached out to fans through online chats on SYFY.COM and has spoken at science fiction conventions. He is recognized throughout the company as a walking encyclopedia of television and movie facts and trivia. (Rather than lullabies, Vitale regularly rocks his newborn baby to sleep by singing television theme songs to her.)
Vitale came to Syfy from Viacom Entertainment, where he worked in research, and on the syndication and marketing of off-network and first-run series, including The Cosby Show, Double Dare and The Montel Williams Show. He has also produced independent theater in New York City.
Vitale has served on the boards of The Williams Club and Fieri National, an Italian-American charitable organization. Born and bred in the Bronx and a graduate of Williams College in Massachusetts, Vitale started his career in television as a Page at NBC.
