Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Rivadeneira.
Hi Joe, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out assisting in the casting department at ABC Television, working on shows like Modern Family and Revenge. That experience gave me such a great foundation and I got to see how stories come to life through people. But after a while, I realized I wanted a little more creative freedom to develop shows that really resonated with my life and experiences. I’ve always had this love for storytelling, connection with people, and authenticity. I wanted to bring that same energy into television and to be able to tell real stories about real people.
That’s what drew me to unscripted. It gave me a chance to combine everything I love — creativity, human connection, and the ability to actually get things made in a shorter window. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible teams at FremantleMedia, NBCUniversal, mitú, Vox Media Studios, Group Nine Media and others developing and producing shows for platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Discovery, HBO and others. Now, I’m the Senior Vice President of Development and Production at Beyond Productions, where I get to oversee projects for amazing partners like Amazon, NBCUniversal, HGTV, and more.
But honestly, what keeps me grounded through it all are my faith and my family. I start every day in prayer and gratitude, just thanking God for the opportunities He’s given me and for the people in my life. My wife, Lauren, and our three kids — Gavyn, Rylan, and Jade — they’re my heart. They remind me what all of this is really about.
If I look back on my story, I think the common thread is connection — connecting with people, hearing their stories, and finding ways to bring those stories to life in a meaningful way. That’s what excites me the most about what I do. Every project is a new opportunity to reflect a little piece of the world back to itself — hopefully with heart, humor, and honesty.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road’s been anything but smooth, but that’s also what’s made it worthwhile. The entertainment industry moves fast, and it’s changed so much since I first started. When I came up, you could walk into a network, pitch an idea in the room, and if they liked it, you might get a green light right then and there. Those days are long gone. Now, it’s a much longer game. Networks often want to test a concept first, or they’ll ask you to put together development materials before committing to anything. It means putting in a lot of work up front with no guarantees, and that can definitely be challenging.
Transitioning from scripted to unscripted television was another shift for me. I started in casting at ABC but I felt this pull toward the unscripted world where there’s a little more room to be creative and spontaneous. Making that move wasn’t easy; it meant learning a new side of the business and proving myself in the unscripted arena.
One thing I’ve learned is that relationships matter more than anything. This industry can be unpredictable, but the connections you make early on can circle back in ways you don’t expect. People I met when I was an assistant are now the ones pitching me projects, and that’s something I don’t take for granted.
Honestly, there have been plenty of moments of doubt or frustration, but my faith and my family keep me grounded. God and my family are my foundation. In an industry where everything’s constantly shifting, having that balance — and remembering why you started — makes all the difference.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve always loved storytelling, whether that was through working in scripted casting or the raw authenticity of unscripted content. Those experiences taught me a lot about character, tone, and what makes people connect with a story. Today, I specialize in developing and producing unscripted series across a wide range of genres — from true crime and formats to docuseries and lifestyle programming.
What really excites me is the creative process — taking a spark of an idea and shaping it into something that not only entertains but also connects with people emotionally. I’ve always believed that even in unscripted television, story is everything. Whether it’s a home renovation, a mystery to solve, or a science experiment gone right (or wrong), it’s the human element that makes people tune in week after week.
What sets me apart is that I’ve worked on both sides of the business — scripted and unscripted — so I bring a storytelling sensibility to everything I do. That background in casting taught me how to spot authentic personalities and build stories around them. And working in unscripted, I get to combine that creative eye with the business side of development — packaging ideas, finding the right partners, and navigating a very competitive landscape.
Another thing that sets me apart is that I’ve worked in both traditional production and also in digital media. I spent 7 years working in digital publishing and using the data + analytics to help inform how and what projects to make for that current market need.
At the end of the day, I think what defines my approach is balancing creativity with strategy, and passion with patience. The unscripted world can be unpredictable, but I’ve learned that staying grounded in your values and being willing to evolve is what keeps you in the game. I’m proud of the shows I’ve built, the teams I’ve been a part of, and the fact that I still get as excited about new ideas today as I did when I first started in the business.
I’m ultimately most excited about what the future holds—both for the industry as a whole and for the opportunities that come with it. The evolution of content creation, distribution, and monetization is happening at a pace we’ve never seen before, and it’s fascinating to watch how platforms like Tubi, Pluto, Roku, and others are redefining what entertainment looks like. We’re witnessing a shift not just in how audiences consume content, but in how programs are being funded, marketed, and sustained long-term.
For me, the most thrilling part is the chance to be a leader in those conversations—to help shape strategies, build partnerships, and identify the next wave of innovation that will drive the marketplace forward. There’s an incredible amount of opportunity out there, and it’s up to us to stay curious, agile, and bold enough to seize it. The future belongs to the people who are willing to experiment, collaborate, and think differently. Let’s go!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
There are so many it’s hard to know where to begin. I try to stay plugged into the industry from every angle — from the traditional trades like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline to newer, more conversational platforms like The Town, The Daily Mail, or even TMZ. Each one brings something valuable — breaking news, behind-the-scenes insights, or simply a pulse on how entertainment is evolving in real time.
Social media has also become a huge resource in what I do. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have completely changed the way we discover and develop talent. You can find incredible creators who are already telling authentic stories and connecting with audiences on their own terms. I see social media as more than just content — it’s a scouting tool, a development space, and a testing ground for ideas. The next big star or show concept could be sitting in a 60-second video somewhere, waiting to be discovered.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joerivy/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joe.rivy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-rivadeneira-129015a0/
- Other: https://beyondproduction.tv/contact/joe-rivadeneira/
