Amazon MGM’s Dom Bird exits to launch new unscripted venture EarlyBird

Dom Bird, Senior International TV Executive at Amazon MGM Studios, is leaving the company to launch his new independent production company, EarlyBird.

Bird is departing his executive role after seven years with MGM Studios, which was acquired by tech giant Amazon in 2022. EarlyBird will maintain a studio deal with Amazon MGM Studios to continue producing key formats while developing new unscripted formats and factual programming under a first-look arrangement, with an emphasis on scalable ideas for global streamers, broadcasters and platforms.

London-based Bird, who established and led MGM's UK unscripted division, will continue to executive produce major unscripted IP along with Amazon MGM Studios, including BBC One's ratings-busting revival of Gladiators, which premiered to almost 10 million viewers and has been renewed for multiple seasons, and The Apprentice.

Bird said: "Launching EarlyBird represents an exciting new chapter in my career, enabling me to build on my passion for innovative, audience-captivating formats. With full creative independence, backed by one of the industry's leading studios, EarlyBird will focus on developing bold, original unscripted programmes that resonate globally. I am delighted to maintain my deep-rooted partnership with MGM and I am grateful to the superb team at Amazon MGM Studios. I can't wait to bring fresh ideas to broadcasters and streamers alike."

Spanning over two decades in unscripted television, Bird's career is marked by a track record of commissioning and producing some of the UK's most successful formats. At Channel 4, as Head of Formats, he greenlit breakout original hits including the high-stakes reality series Hunted and Celebrity Hunted, the studio-based competition Lego Masters, E4 smash hits Tattoo Fixers and Celebs Go Dating, currently in its 14th season.

Prior to that, at the BBC, he served as Creative Director of Entertainment, where he oversaw and executive produced hit shows such as Dragons' Den (known internationally as Shark Tank) and studio competition Antiques Master.

 Since joining MGM Television in 2019, Bird has spearheaded MGM's international expansion, delivering critically acclaimed and commercially successful series Gladiators and 2025's breakout original hit The Marvellous Miniature Workshop, alongside diversification of major IP, creating national arena tours and live experiences, captivating audiences in the UK, and worldwide.