Perry Simon is an independent television producer based in Santa Monica. His most recent production is Art Happens Here, an arts education program starring John Lithgow for PBS. Previously, Perry served as Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of PBS, responsible for all PBS non–children’s programming, including news. Prior to PBS, Perry was the head of BBC America and President of Viacom Productions. He also served as YouTube’s strategic advisor from the company’s start–up through their sale to Google. He began his television career as an integral part of NBC’s programming team, rising to the post of Executive Vice President Prime-Time Programs, overseeing all aspects of NBC’s prime-time schedule, helping develop and supervise some of the network’s most iconic series including Cheers, The Golden Girls, Law and Order, L.A. Law, Miami Vice, Frasier, and Seinfeld.
Perry obtained his BA from Stanford University and his MBA from Harvard Business School. He and his wife (Susie) divide their time between Santa Monica and Mill Valley, CA.