SIMON LYTHGOE

SIMON LYTHGOE

Showrunner | Executive Producer | President, Legacy Productions

Simon Lythgoe is a multi-award-winning Showrunner and Executive Producer, as well as the President of Legacy Productions, with an extensive background in unscripted entertainment, live, shiny-floor productions, reality competitions, game shows, music, and variety programming.

With three Emmy nominations, a Producers Guild of America nomination, a People's Choice Award (American Idol), and two Telly Awards (Decorating Disney: Halloween Magic, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic), he has built a career developing and producing some of the most successful entertainment formats in the world.

Lythgoe specializes in creating and producing innovative formats, assembling top-tier creative teams, and securing international licensing deals. He has worked with A-list celebrities, managed talent negotiations, music licensing, and overseen budgets spanning from digital-first platforms to multi-million-dollar productions for major networks and streaming platforms.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Lythgoe began his career in theatre before transitioning into television in the U.K., working on iconic shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman in London, The Royal Variety Show, Blind Date, and Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush. His success with Gladiators in the U.K. led him to Australia, where he worked on the Seven Network’s adaptation, as well as programming like Home & Away, Wheel of Fortune, Million Dollrar Chance of Lifetime and the 2000 Syndey Olympics.

In 2002, Lythgoe moved to the U.S. to produce American Idol, helping launch the careers of music icons like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. During his six seasons with the show, he worked with legendary artists including Prince, Stevie Wonder, The Bee Gees, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, and Lionel Richie.

Simultaneously, he produced the first three seasons of So You Think You Can Dance and consulted on America’s Got Talent.

After a tenure with Mark Burnett Productions and an exclusive overall deal with FremantleMedia, Lythgoe developed and produced numerous pilots, game shows, and reality competitions, including Let's Make a Deal, Celebrity Family Feud, and Can You Duet.

LEGACY PRODUCTIONS & EXPANSION

In 2010, Lythgoe launched Legacy Productions, specializing in developing and producing unscripted and scripted content. As President, he has led the company in creating hit shows such as CMT’s Next Superstar, A Chance to Dance, and Opening Act. He also developed Love At First Song in partnership with CJ ENM and John Legend.

With Disney+, he served as Showrunner and Director for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, featuring artists like Jason Derulo, Olivia Newton-John, Hunter Hayes, Colbie Caillat, and Pentatonix. He also produced and directed Decorating Disney specials with Whoopi Goldberg, Sofia Carson, Jordan Fisher, and Cierra Ramirez.

Legacy Productions is now expanding into faith-based films, social media content, music content, live events, and the music business, creating new opportunities for artist development, branded content, and innovative entertainment experiences.

FEATURE FILM SUCCESS

Lythgoe recently was the Executive Producer for the Netflix holiday feature film Meet Me Next Christmas, starring Christina Milian and Pentatonix. The film became the No.1 streaming feature film in the world, further cementing his reputation as a visionary producer capable of delivering global hits across multiple platforms.

Beyond television and film, Lythgoe is a sought-after keynote speaker at universities and industry events, sharing his expertise in entertainment, production, and media innovation.

With an ever-evolving vision for storytelling and entertainment, Lythgoe continues to push boundaries, blending traditional media with digital platforms, while expanding into faith-based storytelling—bringing inspiring and meaningful narratives to audiences worldwide.