‘Times Square Studios’ Division Announced by Disney/ABC Television Group
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The Disney/ABC Television Group today announced the formation of Times Square Studios, an integrated current entertainment programming and development division, following the announcement that Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group, will depart the Company at the end of his contract in January 2012. Through that date Mr. Frons will assist in transitioning to the new structure and will be available to provide counsel to the management team.
Disney/ABC TV Group to Launch ABC Spark Channel in Canada
Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) and Corus Entertainment today announced that they have entered into an expansive licensing agreement to launch ABC Spark, a dedicated millennial-focused channel and multi-platform offering, in Canada in Spring 2012. The channel will build on the foundation that DATG has created with ABC Family, its incredibly successful millennial brand in the U.S. This deal marks the first time in history that these two companies have entered into this type of licensing agreement for a 24-hour channel.
Gary Marsh Named as Lightcap’s Successor as President, Disney Channels Worldwide
The Disney/ABC Television Group today announced that Gary Marsh has been promoted to president, Disney Channels Worldwide. He will also continue in his role as the Channel’s Chief Creative Officer. This announcement follows the decision by Carolina Lightcap to step down as president, Disney Channels Worldwide.
In this new position, Mr. Marsh will have full creative oversight and leadership responsibility for Disney’s successful and burgeoning global kids TV business, comprising more than 100 kid-driven, family inclusive entertainment channels and feeds which are available in 169 countries and 35 languages. The portfolio spans Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Disney Cinemagic and Hungama brands; the Radio Disney broadcast and satellite radio network and station group; as well as subscription video-on-demand and the content-rich broadband websites DisneyChannel.com, DisneyJunior.com, DisneyXD.com and RadioDisney.com. Previously, Mr. Marsh had been president, Entertainment and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.
Disney/ABC Group President Anne Sweeney Named MIPCOM Personality of the Year
Reed MIDEM has named Anne Sweeney, Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) President and Disney Media Networks Co-chair, MIPCOM 2011 Personality of the Year, making her the first woman ever to receive the accolade. She will accept the award on Wednesday, 5 October, during a gala dinner for industry executives. The 27th annual MIPCOM, the world’s entertainment content market, will be held on 3-6 October, 2011 at the Palais des Festivals, in Cannes, France.
Ms. Sweeney will give a keynote address on Wednesday, 5 October, as part of MIPCOM’s Media Mastermind series of presentations.
Disney/ABC Television Garners 45 Primetime Emmy Nominations
The Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) captured 45 Primetime Emmy nominations, it was announced today by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This total reflects nominations for ABC Television Network, ABC Studios, ABC.com, Disney Channel and Disney XD programming.
The ABC Television Network collected 42 nominations, including 17 nominations for “Modern Family,” topping all comedies. Nods for the sophomore series include categories of Outstanding Comedy Series, Supporting Actor/Actress, Guest Actor (Nathan Lane), Writing, Art Direction, Casting, Directing, Picture Editing and Sound Mixing.
“Dancing with the Stars” received 7 nominations in the categories of Reality-Competition (for the sixth consecutive time), Host Tom Bergeron (fourth consecutive), Choreography, Hairstyling, Lighting, Makeup, and Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control.
ABC News Receives Edward R. Murrow Award for Toyota Investigation
ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross and the ABC News Investigative Team have been awarded the 2011 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Video Continuing Coverage for their exclusive investigation that revealed how Toyota had for years ignored complaints from hundreds of its owners about cars suddenly accelerating out of control. The reports aired first on “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer,” “Good Morning America” and “Nightline.”
The ground-breaking ABC News reports exposed the automaker’s slow reaction over the years to serious safety problems and helped prompt the company to acknowledge defects, shut down sales and manufacturing, recall almost nine million cars and apologize to its customers.
Katie Couric Joins Disney/ABC TV Group in Multi-Platform Deal
Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) has signed a multi-year, multi-platform agreement with Katie Couric, award-winning journalist, best-selling author and popular TV personality, to host and produce her own nationally syndicated talk show and to join the ABC News team, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, president, Disney/ABC Television Group and co-chair, Disney Media Networks. The program will be distributed by Disney/ABC Domestic Television and will premiere in September 2012.
Disney/ABC TV Group Receives 67 Daytime Emmy Nominations
The Disney/ABC Television Group received 67 nominations for the 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards announced today. “General Hospital” is the most honored show with 21 nominations, including a nod for Outstanding Drama Series. “All My Children” also received a nod in the Outstanding Drama Series category. “The View” received its 14th nomination in 14 years for Outstanding Talk Show Host, honoring Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd, having previously won in 2009, and received its 12th nomination for Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment. “Good Morning America” received its fifth consecutive nomination for Outstanding Morning Program. “GMA” has won the award three out of four years since the category was created.
Award-Winning Journalist, Ben Sherwood, Named President, ABC News
Ben Sherwood, an award-winning journalist, bestselling author and digital media entrepreneur, has been named as the new president of ABC News, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, to whom he will report. In this position, Mr. Sherwood will be responsible for all editorial, programming and digital aspects of our global news business encompassing all ABC News programs on the ABC Television Network, ABC News Radio, ABC News.com and ABC News NOW.
In making the announcement, Ms. Sweeney stated, “Ben’s proven success in the news business, along with his entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and keen intellect, make him the ideal choice to lead ABC News into the future. His previous tenure at ABC led to the most successful seasons in GMA’s history, and his success as a bestselling author and digital entrepreneur demonstrate a unique skill set that is as valuable as it is diverse.”
Mr. Sherwood said, “It’s a great honor and privilege to be asked to lead this amazing news organization, and I am humbled by the opportunity. For more than 20 years, I’ve known firsthand of the passion, excellence and integrity of the people who work for ABC News. I am thrilled to be coming back home, and look forward to harnessing our innovation and creativity to build on our great history of success.”
Mr. Sherwood began to explore a career in journalism with student internships at KCET public television in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times Washington Bureau, and the CBS Evening News in New York. In 1984-1985, during a year off from college, he worked for The News and Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina; the Los Angeles Times Paris bureau and the United Nations Border Relief Operation in Aranyaprathet, Thailand.
He launched his career in earnest when he joined ABC News in 1989, serving as an investigative associate producer and producer for ABC News’ PrimeTime Live with hosts Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson. During that time his investigative reports explored flaws in the secretive B-2 stealth bomber program, the dangers of unlicensed mental health practitioners, and the unheralded risks of an overprescribed heart medication.
Sean Cocchia and David Cobb Promoted at Disney Channels Worldwide
Disney Channels Worldwide has promoted two key executives into new roles — Sean Cocchia has been named Senior Vice President and General Manager, Radio Disney, and David Cobb has been named Vice President, Business Planning and Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide. The announcement was made today by Carolina Lightcap, President, Disney Channels Worldwide, to whom they each will report. David Cobb will also have a reporting line into Jewell Engstrom, Chief Financial Officer, Disney ABC Networks Group.
At Radio Disney, Cocchia succeeds Michael Riley, who was recently named President, ABC Family. Cobb succeeds Cocchia in the Business Planning and Strategy role.
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