Los Angeles, CA, March 12, 2009 –
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.
“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,” Mr. 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. 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.”
With Mr. Rice’s departure at Fox Searchlight, Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula
will jointly run the business, reporting to Mr. Gianopulos and Mr. Rothman.
Nancy and Steve, COOs of Fox Searchlight, who have been Mr. Rice’s partners
through all of the unit’s great successes, will assume full authority for
the business. Claudia Lewis, president of production, remains in place.
Mr. Gianopulos, Mr. Rothman, and Mr. Vinciquerra will report directly to Mr.
Murdoch. Peter Levinsohn, president of Fox Interactive Media, will also
report directly to Mr. Murdoch. Roger Ailes, chairman and CEO of FOX News
Channel and Fox Business Network and chairman of the Fox Television Stations
and Twentieth Television, will continue to report to Mr. Murdoch.
News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) had total assets as of
December 31, 2008 of approximately US$50 billion and total annual revenues
of approximately US$33 billion. News Corporation is a diversified global
media company with operations in eight industry segments: filmed
entertainment; television; cable network programming; direct broadcast
satellite television; magazines and inserts; newspapers and information
services; book publishing; and other. The activities of News Corporation are
conducted principally in the United States, Continental Europe, the United
Kingdom, Australia, Asia and Latin America.
Contact:
Julie Henderson 310-369-0773