Disney Fox

Disney Fox

Disney has confirmed the executive line-up for its post-Fox deal media networks division, with Fox executives Peter Rice and Dana Walden set for top posts and Disney’s Ben Sherwood to leave after the deal closes. 

If Disney’s acquisition of most of the assets of 21st Century Fox goes through as expected, Rice, currently president of 21st Century Fox and chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group, will become chairman of Walt Disney Television and co-chair of Disney Media Networks, reporting directly to Walt Disney Company chairman and CEO Robert Iger. 

Executives reporting to Rice will include FX chief John Landgraf, whose title will be chairman of FX Networks and FX Productions, and Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide. 

Operations overseen by Rice will include the ABC broadcast network, ABC Studios, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Networks and Fox 21 Television Studios. 

Walden, currently chairman and CEO of Fox Television Group, will take the new role of chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment, also reporting to Rice. Her remit will include Twentieth Century Fox Television, Fox 21 Television Studios and ABC Entertainment and among executives reporting to her will be ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey, ABC Studios president Patrick Moran and Twentieth Century Fox Television presidents Jonathan Davis and Howard Kurtzman. 

Sherwood, currently co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney ABC Television Group, will remain in that job until the acquisition closes. 

Commenting on the appointments, Iger said: “The strength of 21st Century Fox’s first-class management talent has always been a compelling part of this opportunity for us. Upon completion of the acquisition, this new structure positions these proven leaders to help drive maximum value from a greatly enhanced portfolio of incredible brands and businesses.”