MICHAEL THORN NAMED PRESIDENT, ENTERTAINMENT,
FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY
Current FOX Entertainment President David Madden to Step Down
Fox Television Group Chairmen and CEOs Gary Newman and Dana Walden announced today that they have appointed Michael Thorn President of Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX).
As President of Entertainment for FOX, Thorn will assume responsibility for scripted programming and development, and casting at the network. He will report to Walden and Newman and will transition into his new role at the end of next month. A replacement for Thorn at TCFTV will be named soon.
David Madden, FOX's current President of Entertainment, will step down from his current role at the end of the month to pursue other opportunities.
"We've worked with Michael for the past decade, and in terms of creative chops and leadership skills, he's one of the best," said Newman and Walden. "He's distinguished himself in our organization and in the creative community as an incredible executive who cares deeply about the work and our creative partners. As someone who's worked at the studio, a broadcast network and spent time as a producer, Michael's had the best possible training for this position. We're elated he'll be stepping into this expanded role."
"This brings to a close an incredible 17-year run working with our friend and colleague, David. He's a gifted executive who brings passion, intelligence and a tremendous amount of experience to all he does. We know he'll be successful in the next stage of his career and we wish him all the best," added Walden and Newman.
Thorn has developed dozens of successful dramas and comedies during his tenure as Executive Vice President of Development at TCFTV. In this capacity, he's led scripted development efforts for the studio, including both the comedy and drama teams.
Most recently, he worked on last season's breakout hit, "This Is Us," which was nominated for 10 Emmy Awards and won the Humanitas Prize for Drama; and FOX's hit drama, EMPIRE. Together, these two programs are the top two scripted dramas on broadcast television. He also developed "Speechless," tied for last season's top new broadcast comedy, and "Life in Pieces," the prior season's top new broadcast comedy. He also works on THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, THE MICK, STAR and "Fresh Off The Boat"; as well as the upcoming series THE GIFTED, THE ORVILLE and GHOSTED.
Thorn joined the studio seven years ago as Senior Vice President, Drama Development, after working at Lost Marbles Television, where he oversaw all scripted television and served as an executive producer on "Teen Wolf," "Supreme Courtships" and "Cop House." Previously, he served as Drama Development Team Head at NBC, helping to develop such hits as "Heroes" and "Friday Night Lights"; and Vice President, Primetime Series, for NBC Studios, where he oversaw all drama development and current programming for the studio, including series "Las Vegas," "Crossing Jordan" and "Boomtown." Prior to NBC, Thorn served as Vice President, Series Development and Programming at the USA Network, where he helped develop the cable network's flagship series, "Monk," as well as "Touching Evil," "Traffic," "Peacemakers" and "Red Skies." He also developed shows for Big Ticket Television and La Plante Productions LTD.
About Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), a unit of 21st Century Fox, is home to some of the highest-rated and most acclaimed series on television, including EMPIRE, THE MICK, LETHAL WEAPON, LUCIFER, GOTHAM, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, NEW GIRL, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, STAR, THE EXORCIST, THE SIMPSONS, FAMILY GUY, BOB'S BURGERS, HELL'S KITCHEN, MASTERCHEF, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE; as well as new series BEAT SHAZAM, LOVE CONNECTION and THE F WORD WITH GORDON RAMSAY; and upcoming series THE GIFTED, THE ORVILLE, GHOSTED, LA TO VEGAS, THE RESIDENT and 9-1-1. FOX airs 15 hours of primetime programming a week, as well as major sports and Sunday morning news. Through the FOX NOW app, FOX viewers can watch full episodes of their favorite FOX shows on a variety of digital platforms, while enjoying enhanced interactive and social capabilities around those shows. Download the FOX NOW app at www.fox.com/foxnow. To watch primetime programming live on the web, visit www.fox.com/live. "Like" FOX on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FOXTV and follow the network on Twitter @FOXTV. For additional information about FOX, please visit www.fox.com.
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