In an unexpected development, Fox Broadcasting Chairman Peter Liguori is leaving the network, stepping down as part of a restructuring that will give Tony Vinciquerra full control of News Corp.’s TV networks business. Replacing Mr. Liguori will be Peter Rice, who had been president of Fox Searchlight, the company’s specialty film division. Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly now will report to Mr. Rice. Since Peter Chernin announced his plans to step down earlier this month, industry insiders had anointed Mr. Vinciquerra the consensus choice to take over Mr. Chernin’s role supervising Mr. Liguori. It was widely assumed that Mr. Liguori would not have a problem reporting to Mr. Vinciquerra. But in unveiling the post-Chernin structure of News Corp.’s entertainment businesses Thursday, the company said Mr. Chernin was departing. Mr. Rice’s appointment was equally unexpected. “Peter Liguori has been an outstanding Fox executive, not only in leading FBC for three seasons, but in his groundbreaking programming that helped build FX into a general entertainment leader. We wish him continued success,” News Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch said. “Peter Rice is one of our most talented creative executives, having championed such films as ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ and ‘Juno’ during his tenure at Fox Searchlight,” Mr. Murdoch added. “As we increasingly look to apply unconventional approaches to our traditional businesses, I’m convinced Peter Rice is the right person to transform our broadcast television business.” As expected, 20th Century Fox TV Chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden now will report to Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chairs Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman. The latter two executives will head a single combined unit overseeing all creative production divisions, including 20th and Fox TV Studios. The full release from News Corp. follows: News Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rupert Murdoch today announced a restructuring of the Los Angeles-based Fox businesses to capitalize on management strength and to position the businesses for future creative and economic growth. “We have—simply put—the best management team in the entertainment industry. Today’s restructuring, by removing barriers between businesses, will enable us to better share ideas and resources, allowing us to make the most of this team and the talent that populates our ranks,” Mr. Murdoch said. Beginning immediately, the Los Angeles-based creative production divisions will be combined under a single unit reporting to Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman, co-chairmen of Fox Filmed Entertainment, whose leadership has propelled the studio to record breaking profits during their lengthy tenure with the company. Twentieth Century Fox Television chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden will report to Mr. Gianopulos and Mr. Rothman. Emiliano Calemzuk, president of Fox Television Studios, will report to Mr. Newman and Ms. Walden. On the television network side of the business, Tony Vinciquerra, chairman of the Fox Networks Group, will continue to head the cable networks, the business aspects of Fox Broadcasting, Fox International Channels, and will gain responsibility for Fox Broadcasting programming. Mr. Vinciquerra has been a key architect of Fox’s tremendous growth in cable over the past decade. As part of the restructuring of the network business, Peter Liguori will be stepping down as chairman of entertainment, Fox Broadcasting, effective immediately. Peter Rice, president of Fox Searchlight, will exit his post at the specialty label, and take on the role of chairman of entertainment, Fox Broadcasting, reporting to Mr. Vinciquerra.

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Posted Thu, Mar 12 2009 6:02 PM by News