Award-Winning Television Creators, Producers & Directors
Eric and Shannon Evangelista are award-winning television creators, producers, and directors with more than three decades of combined experience developing and producing original programming for major television networks and streaming platforms. As co-founders of Hot Snakes Media and leaders of E4 Content Group, the Evangelistas have built a track record of creating successful television franchises, uncovering extraordinary real-life stories, and delivering programming that resonates with audiences across cable, streaming, and digital platforms.
Together, they have sold more than $100 million in content and developed an extensive portfolio of original programming spanning documentary, reality, true crime, and unscripted entertainment. Their success reflects a combination of entrepreneurial vision, strong editorial instincts, and an ability to turn compelling stories and distinctive access into commercially successful television.
Among their most significant achievements is Breaking Amish, which remains the highest-rated series premiere in TLC’s more than 50-year history and spawned two hit spinoff series. The franchise became a defining success in the network’s programming lineup. Their credits also include multiple installments of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace for Investigation Discovery and HBO Max, the award-winning Netflix series Deaf U, and Pig Royalty, which has been described as Discovery+’s highest-rated premiere. Their original programming has achieved major audience milestones across multiple networks and streaming platforms.
Shannon brings a distinctive combination of legal expertise and investigative experience to the partnership. Before entering television production, she served as a prosecutor with the Orange County and Manhattan District Attorney’s Offices and worked as a criminal defense attorney. That experience has helped shape her approach to true-crime storytelling, where legal analysis, investigative rigor, and an understanding of human behavior can be essential to uncovering the truth behind complex cases.
Her work on The Curious Case of Natalia Grace extended beyond producing. Drawing on her legal and investigative background, Shannon played a central role in examining the case and uncovering revelations that captivated audiences across Investigation Discovery and HBO Max. She continues to expand her work in the genre through The Curious Case Of…, alongside legal analyst Beth Karas, and an upcoming Investigation Discovery series involving interconnected murder cases dating back approximately half a century. Her work as both a producer and on-camera investigative expert brings an unusual depth of firsthand legal experience to the true-crime genre.
The Evangelistas continue to develop and produce high-profile programming with Hot Snakes Media, including Suddenly Amish, which premiered on TLC and HBO Max. The series generated substantial social-media attention ahead of its premiere and, according to the company’s reported performance, delivered WBD’s highest premiere of the season. The project reflects their continued ability to identify contemporary stories with broad audience appeal and translate them into compelling television.
Their work has also expanded into digital wildlife entertainment through their involvement with Phantasticus Pictures and explorer and television personality Forrest Galante. Their projects include Vantara: Sanctuary Stories, a wildlife series reaching audiences in India and internationally. During this period, Galante’s YouTube channel surpassed one billion views in less than three years, demonstrating the potential for distinctive, personality-driven wildlife programming to reach massive audiences beyond traditional television.
The Evangelistas have also explored innovative production techniques and technologies designed to expand the possibilities of field-based storytelling, including underwater filming and communications systems that enable greater interaction between on-camera talent and production teams in challenging environments. Their development work continues to focus on original concepts, compelling access, and new ways to bring ambitious stories to audiences across television, streaming, and digital platforms.
Eric began his media career in 1990 at The Boston Herald, starting as a sports copy boy before progressing into sports journalism. His work earned 12 Associated Press Awards, and his original sports productions have received multiple Emmy Awards. His journalistic foundation complements Shannon’s legal and investigative expertise, giving the pair a distinctive perspective on character-driven storytelling, complex real-world situations, and the development of narratives that engage audiences.
Across their careers, Eric and Shannon Evangelista have established themselves as an entrepreneurial creative team with a proven record of taking original ideas from development through production and distribution. Their work spans hit television franchises, breakout series, investigative documentaries, streaming originals, and digital-first programming. Combining creative ambition with legal insight, journalistic instincts, and a keen understanding of audience behavior, they continue to develop distinctive content with both cultural impact and commercial value.
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