CNBC is readying to launch a reality development slate, and has hired a veteran reality television exec to oversee the effort, reports The New York Times’ Media Decoder blog.

The channel hired VH1’s Jim Ackerman, known for producing reality shows such as “Celebrity Fit Club,” to take the lead role, the story reports.

Ackerman will be senior vice president of prime-time alternative programming and will report to CNBC President Mark Hoffman, the story notes.

“His work will complement our highly successful long form and documentary content, which has been established over the last few years," Hoffman wrote in a staff memo, according to the story.

CNBC declined to comment on its plans for reality programming, the story adds.