|
ABC programming head exits; successor is a network TV first
[BIGSTORY.AP.ORG] The head of the ABC Entertainment Group is departing amid low ratings, to be replaced by the first African-American to head a broadcast TV network.ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee has decided to leave, the network announced Wednesday. His successor is Channing Dungey, who has been ABC Entertainment Group's executive vice president for drama development, movies and miniseries, overseeing drama pilots and the launches of series. Dungey shepherded ABC hits including "Scandal," ''How to Get Away with Murder" and "Quantico." The changeover comes a year after Ben Sherwood became president of the Disney-ABC TV Group and after Lee's nearly six years as programming chief. "Channing is a gifted leader and a proven magnet for top creative talent, with an impressive record" of helping to create compelling and popular series, Sherwood said in a statement. "And she's the right color! But, really, we picked her because she's so talented!" Dungey is both the first black network programming chief and a rare female executive. Change has come faster for women than minorities in the TV executive ranks, with Jennifer Salke serving as NBC's entertainment president and, at Fox Television Group, Dana Walden sharing chair and CEO duties with Gary Newman. Posted by: Fred 2016-02-18 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=445773 |