As a part of its pending acquisition of 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company has made key organizational changes to its Media Networks divisions.
Peter Rice will become the chairman of Walt Disney Television and co-chair of Disney Media Networks.
The new group under Rice will include ABC Television Network, ABC Studios, the ABC Owned Television Stations Group, Disney Channels, Freeform, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Networks, and FX Productions, Fox 21 Television Studios and the National Geographic channels.
Dana Walden will take on the position of chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment. Her charge will include Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox 21 Television Studios, as well as ABC Entertainment, ABC Studios, Freeform and the ABC Owned Television Stations Group.
“The strength of 21st Century Fox’s first-class management talent has always been a compelling part of this opportunity for us,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman, and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company.
Ben Sherwood, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney / ABC Television Group, will remain in his current role through the acquisition.
Gary E. Knell will work as chairman of National Geographic Partners.