21st Century Fox president Peter Rice will become chairman of Walt Disney Television and co-chair of Disney Media Networks after 21st Century Fox successfully merges with The Walt Disney Company. (Adweek)
Rice will oversee all of Disney’s TV efforts save ESPN. That includes ABC, ABC Studios, ABC Owned Television Stations Group, Disney Channels Worldwide, Freeform, 20th Century Fox TV, FX Networks, FX Productions, Fox 21 TV Studios and National Geographic channels. (THR / Live Feed)
Other top Fox television executives to head to the Magic Kingdom include Dana Walden, John Landgraf, and Gary E. Knell. Walden has been named chairman, Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment. Landgraf will serve as chairman of FX Networks and FX Productions. Knell will serve as chairman of National Geographic Partners. (Variety)
Ben Sherwood, Disney’s outgoing TV chief, will remain in his current role through the transition period until the deal closes, Disney said. The merger is currently under regulatory review. (New York Post)
Disney’s new TV leadership team will be a blend of high-ranking Fox executives and Disney stalwarts, including Disney Channels Worldwide head Gary Marsh and ABC News president James Goldston, who will continue in their current roles. The move represents a departure from Disney’s usual practice of grooming top executives from within its ranks. (LA Times / Company Town)