In a remarkably short time, 495 Productions has emerged as one of the television industry’s most formidable hit factories. Today, the company is responsible for some of the most riveting reality television programming available on any broadcast or cable network. Salsano named the Los Angeles-based company after the major expressway serving her native Long Island, New York. Since its launch in 2006, 495’s creative team has specialized in developing programs that entertain viewers while keeping them glued to their screens.
495 creates unique strongly formatted, character-driven television shows anchored by colorful personalities who engage in unforgettable and sometimes unbelievable off-the-wall exploits.
495 became known throughout the world thanks to its record breaking, “Jersey Shore” which premiered on MTV in December of 2009 and instantly became a global pop-culture phenomenon. The show’s distinctive cast struck a chord with viewers and introduced the world at large to a unique style and language that until then had rarely been seen beyond the environs of New Jersey. In no time, “Jersey Shore” had “fist pumped” its way to becoming the highest-rated show in the history of MTV. Upcoming 495 projects include: “The Ex and the Why” (MTV), offering the brokenhearted a chance at closure thanks to a surprise meeting with their ex, “Tattoos After Dark” (Oxygen) which uncovers the extreme, wild and crazy shenanigans that take place after 10 PM at tattoo parlors in the hottest party towns, “Fangasm” (Syfy), a fascinating look into fan boy and fan girl culture and “Down South” (CMT), which follows All-American guys and gals for a summer of fun on the coast of South Carolina, they hail from different parts of the South but they all have one thing in common: Southern Pride. 495 along with Telepictures produced FOX’s daytime hit “The Real” with Salsano serving as EP and 495 shows currently in production or on the air include: “Tattoo Nightmares” (SPIKE), “Snooki & JWOWW” (MTV), and “Friendzone” (MTV). Additional 495 credits include: Repo Games (SPIKE ), The Show With Vinny” (MTV), Disaster Date” (MTV), “The Pauly D Project” (MTV), Season 10 of “Taboo USA” (National Geographic Channel), “Wedding Wars” (VH1), “Taboo USA” (National Geographic Channel), TV Guide’s #1 award-winning “Nail Files,” “Love Handles: Couples in Crisis” (Lifetime), “Wedding Island” (TLC), “More To Love,” (FOX), several seasons of HGTV‘s #1 rated show “Design Star,” “The Antonio Project” (HGTV), Oxygen’s #1 rated show “Dance Your Ass Off,” “The Big Party Plan-Off” (Style Network), “A Shot At Love” (MTV), “A Shot at Love: 2” (MTV), “That’s Amore” (MTV), “Tool Academy” (VH1), “My Big Friggin Wedding” (VH1), Season 6 of NBC’s “Nashville Star,” “Tanisha Gets Married” (Oxygen), and many others.
495’s shows, distinguished staff and incomparable casts have been nominated for awards including: Daytime Emmy Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Astra Awards and have won a Taste Award, Reality Wanted Award and Teen Choice Award for two years in a row. The 495 team is an experienced group of creative television professionals who have worked for years together in the industry, even before the company’s inception. Salsano serves as the President, Jim Bianco is Head of Production, Ryan Abbott works as the Head of Post Production and Joel Zimmer is the Head of Current Production/Executive Producer.
