List of presidents of Fox Entertainment

The following is a list of presidents of the entertainment division for the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox).

Name Years Notes
Garth Ancier 1986–1989 In 1986, Barry Diller, Jamie Kellner and Rupert Murdoch tapped the then 28-year-old Ancier to be the founding Entertainment President for the new Fox Broadcasting Company,[1] where he put 21 Jump Street, Married... with Children, The Simpsons and In Living Color on the air.
Peter Chernin 1989–1992 From 1989 to 1992, Chernin was president of entertainment for the Fox Broadcasting Company, while programming grew from two to seven nights a week during that span.
Sandy Grushow 1992–1995 In 1992, at the age of 32, Grushow assumed the presidency of the Fox Entertainment Group entire network division, making him the youngest executive to ever hold the title of network president.[2] In that leadership role, Grushow oversaw the development and launch of The X-Files, Melrose Place, Party of Five, Living Single and MADtv while also expanding the network from four to seven nights of primetime programming.
John Matoian 1995–1996[3][4] He was a vice-president of the CBS Entertainment division. He later became the president of Entertainment at Fox Broadcasting in September 1995.[5][6]
Peter Roth 1996–1998 Between 1996 and 1999, he was president of Fox, and then moved over to Warner Bros. Television, where he was president until 2021.[7][8]
Doug Herzog 1999–2000 He has held senior positions with USA Network, where he helped launch Monk, and at Fox, launching Malcolm in the Middle.
Gail Berman 2000–2005 Network shows under Berman's tenure included American Idol, 24, House, Arrested Development, Bones, and Family Guy.
Peter Liguori 2005–2007 Before joining Discovery in 2009, Liguori served as Chairman of entertainment for Fox, credited with helping the channel FX grow in prominence.[9][10] Prior to assuming that position in 2005, Liguori was president and CEO of News Corp.’s FX Networks since 1998, overseeing business and programming operations for FX and Fox Movie Channel.[11] Liguori joined Fox/Liberty Networks in 1996 as senior vice president of marketing, for a new joint venture, which now includes Fox Sports Net, FX, Fox Sports World, SPEED and National Geographic Channel.[12] Before joining Fox, Liguori was vice president, consumer marketing, at HBO.[13]
Kevin Reilly 2007–2012 Less than two months after leaving NBC, Reilly was hired as president of entertainment at Fox.[14] He also oversaw the development of the shows Gotham, The Last Man on Earth, and Empire,[15][16] and launched the series Glee, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl.[17] In 2008-2009, Reilly developed and launched the J.J. Abrams thriller Fringe and Seth MacFarlane's The Cleveland Show. He launched Glee, which won the Golden Globe for Best Series – Musical or Comedy in 2010.[18] He is generally credited with creating Jane Lynch’s character, Sue Sylvester, on the show.[19] In 2011, Reilly also championed New Girl, the network’s highest-rated fall sitcom debut in 10 years.[20] Reilly was named chairman of entertainment for Fox in August 2012.[21] He later introduced the shows Sleepy Hollow, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Following,[22] and The Mindy Project.[23] During his time at the network from 2007-2014, the network had a seven-year run as televisions top-rated network for adults aged 18–49.[24] Reilly also bolstered Fox’s leadership and investment in digital and social media.[25] He is credited as 'the architect' behind the Animation Domination High-Def,[26] an independent digital animation subsidiary generating alternative animation for digital channels and a late-night block on Fox.[27] Reilly also initiated a "no pilot season" strategy (designed to nurture fewer new Fox shows with more investment).[15][16][28] He left Fox in May 2014.[29]
Peter Rice 2012–2014 Prior to his roles in Fox's television business, Rice was President for Fox Searchlight Pictures.[30] Rice was appointed President of 21st Century Fox in 2017.[31] In addition to working on strategic initiatives at 21st Century Fox, Rice continues to serve as Chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group.[32] He is also the Chairman of the Board of National Geographic Partners and a member of the Board of Directors for Hulu.[33][34] Rice became Chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group in 2012, supervising Fox Broadcasting Company, 20th Century Fox Television, FX Networks, Fox Sports (encompassing Fox’s national sports channels, FS1 and FS2 and its 22 regional sports networks) and National Geographic Partners (which includes the National Geographic channels and brands).[35][36]
David Madden 2014–2017 Madden became president of Fox Television Studios in 2010 and signed a new contract in April 2014. He helped develop shows like The Shield and The Americans.[37] In August 2014, he became president of Fox Entertainment Group.[38] In August 2017, Madden left Fox and was succeeded by Michael Thorn, moving on in the following month to be head of original programming for AMC Networks' AMC, Sundance TV and AMC Studios.[39]
Michael Thorn 2017–present

References

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  1. ^ Adalian, Josef; Schneider, Michael (December 13, 2000). "Peacock Zucker-punched". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  2. ^ John Lippman Grushow Gets Programming Job at Fox TV “LATimes.com” December 1, 1992
  3. ^ "A More Grown-Up Look for Fox : Television: With new entertainment president John Matoian and a powerful distribution system, the fourth network plans to expand its audience". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  4. ^ "Fox aims to broaden young audience". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 13, 1995. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  5. ^ "A More Grown-Up Look for Fox : Television: With new entertainment president John Matoian and a powerful distribution system, the fourth network plans to expand its audience". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  6. ^ "Fox aims to broaden young audience". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 13, 1995. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  7. ^ "NATPE Conference: Speaker Bio - Peter Roth, Warner Bros. Television". Retrieved April 23, 2008.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 18, 2020). "Peter Roth To Step Down As Warner Bros. TV Group Chairman After 22 Years At The Helm Of the TV Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  9. ^ Channick, Robert (January 18, 2013). "TV executive Peter Liguori takes over as CEO of Tribune Co". Chicago Tribune.
  10. ^ Golum, Rob (January 17, 2013). "Tribune Names Former Fox TV Executive as CEO".
  11. ^ "Liguori Tapped Prexy of FX Net". August 6, 1998.
  12. ^ "Peter Liguori". Retrieved January 28, 2001.
  13. ^ "Tribune Names Former Fox TV Executive as CEO". Retrieved January 28, 2001.
  14. ^ Schneider, Michael; Adalian, Josef (July 9, 2017). "Fox Names Reilly President". Variety. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  15. ^ a b James Hibberd (January 17, 2015). "Fox renews 'Gotham,' 'Empire' (after only two episodes!)". Entertainment Weekly.
  16. ^ a b Lesley Goldberg (February 12, 2014). "Will Forte Comedy 'Last Man on Earth' Nabs Fox Series Order". The Hollywood Reporter.
  17. ^ Rose, Lacey (May 29, 2014). "Fox's Top Executive Kevin Reilly to Depart". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  18. ^ John Consoli. "Fox Tops 2009-10 Ratings; CBS Wins Viewers". The Wrap (May 27, 2010). Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  19. ^ Greg Hernandez. "Glee creator Ryan Murphy says Sue Sylvester character was not in original script of hit Fox show". Greg In Hollywood. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  20. ^ James Hibberd (September 21, 2011). "Zooey Deschanel's 'New Girl' opens big". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 20, 2012). "Fox's Kevin Reilly Upped to Chairman of Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  22. ^ Patten, Dominic. "Full 2012-2013 TV Season Series Rankings". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  23. ^ Salamone, Gina (October 9, 2012). "'Mindy Project' & 'Ben and Kate' Get Full Seasons". NY Daily News. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  24. ^ "2012-2013 Season Network Rankings: CBS Sweeps In Final Numbers; ABC, CBS & Fox Tie in May Sweep".
  25. ^ "Kevin Reilly Upped to Fox Broadcasting Company's Entertainment Chairman".
  26. ^ Young, Susan. "Reilly: Nurturing Fox's Next-Gen Toon Stars". Variety. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  27. ^ Crupi, Anthony. "Fox Inks Partnership With YouTube's WIGS Channel". Adweek. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  28. ^ Josef Adalian (May 6, 2014). "Why Fox's Kevin Reilly Is Canceling Pilot Season". Vulture.
  29. ^ Greenwald, Andy (May 30, 2014). "Kevin Reilly Is Out at Fox. So What Now? (For Him, the Network, and the Future of Broadcast TV)".
  30. ^ Ricj, Joshua (March 12, 2009). "Fox Broadcasting executive shakeup: Peter Ligouri out, Peter Rice in". Entertainment Weekly.
  31. ^ Ng, David (September 6, 2017). "21st Century Fox promotes Peter Rice to president". Los Angeles Times.
  32. ^ "Peter Rice Elevated to Head of Fox Networks Group". The Hollywood Reporter.
  33. ^ Hipes, Patrick (September 6, 2017). "Peter Rice Promoted to President Of 21st Century Fox". Deadline Hollywood.
  34. ^ Maglio, Tony (September 6, 2017). "Peter Rice Promoted to 21st Century Fox President". TheWrap.
  35. ^ Szalai, George (March 26, 2014). "Fox Networks Group CEO Peter Rice Gets Contract Extension". The Hollywood Reporter.
  36. ^ Crupi, Anthony (July 23, 2012). "Peter Rice Named Head of Fox Networks Group". Adweek.
  37. ^ Maglio, Tony (April 9, 2014). "David Madden Re-Ups as President of Fox Television Studios". The Wrap. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  38. ^ Maglio, Tony (August 14, 2014). "David Madden Named President of Fox Broadcasting Co., Joe Earley Upped to COO of New TV Group". The Wrap. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  39. ^ Koblin, John (September 15, 2017). "David Madden, Former Fox Executive, Is Taking Over Programming at AMC". The New York Times. Retrieved October 12, 2020.