Jack Abernethy, who has worn two hats for the last couple of years, as CEO of Fox TV stations as well as co-president of Fox News, is leaving his base in New York and relocating to Los Angeles where he will be CEO of the expanding TV stations group.
Abernethy was elevated to co-president of Fox News in the wake of the sexual harassment scandal that led to the departure of network co-founder and CEO Roger Ailes in July 2016.
In a statement announcing the move, Lachlan Murdoch, who is the CEO of the proposed New Fox, said Abernethy, “has been a steadying force at Fox News during the last 21 months, establishing extensive policies and procedures while streamlining management and installing respected industry executives in key roles, all of which achieved our goal of creating a more transparent work environment. We are grateful for his leadership during this extraordinary period.”
Earlier this month, Fox announced it was buying seven stations that needed to be divested as part of Sinclair’s acquisition of Tribune Media.
In his 18 months as Fox News co-president, Abernethy is credited with recruiting a new general counsel, signing key on-air talent deals, establishing new HR leadership, overhauling the financial structure and installing a new advertising sales chief. He is also responsible for appointing two women to C-suite roles in both finance and advertising sales for the first time in the history of the network.