Fox Filmed Entertainment (FFE)chairmen Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos have signed new five-year deals withthe company and been named joint chief executive officers.

The pair assumed their posts in2000, in which time 20 of the studio's pictures have grossed more than $100m atthe domestic box office and 26 have reached the milestone internationally.

Worldwide receipts have accountedfor more than $8bin in box office revenue and the theatrical slate has garneredmore than 50 Academy Award nominations.

"Jim and Tom are two of themost passionate, intelligent and dedicated executives in this business and Icould not be happier that they will continue to guide the studio," NewsCorp president and chief operating officer Peter Cherninsaid.

"Their five year partnershiphas not only generated record profits for FFE, but has resulted in as dynamic aslate of films as this studio has ever seen and I look forward to workingclosely with them for many years to come."

"The job of running a studiois exciting, demanding, and sometimes makes you crazy, but it is always aprivilege to be the custodian of a great company's history," Gianopulos said.

"Ask any winning coach and,if they're honest, they will tell you they are only as good as the people theywork for and the team they have. That is the case here, with the added benefitof a great partner," Rothman added.