Sci Fi Channel has promoted Thomas Vitale to executive vice president of programming and original movies.

Mr. Vitale, who joined Sci Fi Channel in 1993 as director of acquisitions, was previously senior VP of programming and original movies. He was responsible for original genre movie development for Sci Fi and Chiller, expanding Sci Fi’s Saturday Night: The Most Dangerous Night of Television brand to Sunday prime time.

Mr. Vitale will be responsible for delivering up to 36 original movies per year in his new position, in addition to overseeing Sci Fi’s original two-hour investigative documentaries.

“Tom has played a leadership role in the evolution and success of Sci Fi,” Dave Howe, president of Sci Fi Channel, said in a statement. “His deep competitive knowledge, keen negotiating skills, scheduling savvy, and strong creative and strategic execution have been key factors in firmly establishing Sci Fi’s place in the very top tier of cable entertainment.”

Source: http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/10/sci_fi_ups_vitale_to_executive.php