MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has made its upfront presentation to advertisers. Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said that the broadcaster is spending more money than it has ever done on original content.

Fox is seeking to rebuild a prime-time schedule that lost a fifth of its viewers. There will be 11 new shows and two ?event series?. He said, "This season, we will strategically launch five inventive live-action comedies, four distinctive dramas, our first-ever event series, as well as some innovative new digital initiatives, across the week and throughout the year."

Reilly added, "We?re making the biggest investment in original programming in our history to ensure that Fox continues to engage viewers and move the culture more than any other entertainment brand."

Clips of new shows that have generated some interest among advertisers include ?Sleepy Hollow?, ?Rake?, ?Almost Human? and ?Gang Related?. ?Brooklyn Nine-Nine? is a comedy about a New York police squad. ?Almost Human? is an futuristic action drama set 35 years in the future, when police officers are partnered with highly evolved human-like androids.

?Sleepy Hollow? is a modern version of Washington Irving?s Ichabod Crane. ?Dads? meanwhile is a sitcom from Oscar host Seth MacFarlane about two video game entrepreneurs whose fathers move in with them.

What is also interesting is that Fox will air single-season shows consisting of around 13 episodes. This way the broadcaster can tap talent that may not necessarily want to get locked in for a longer period of time.

Networked Insights, which provides social data for use in media planning and buying has advised media buyers that shows like ?Almost Human? and ?Sleepy Hollow? are worth advertising on.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox chairman of entertainment Kevin Reilly and COO Joe Earley have announced a restructuring and expansion of the network?s programming team designed to foster the company?s expanding programming efforts.

Beginning immediately, the following leadership changes are in effect:

• James Oh has been promoted to senior VP, current programming. In this role he will oversee production and creative coverage of all of Fox?s new and returning scripted series, including ?The Following?, ?Bones?, ?New Girl?, ?Raising Hope?, ?Glee?, and ?The Simpsons?. Oh will report to Earley and will assume the day-to-day management of the network?s entire current Programming team.
• Shana C Waterman has been named senior VP, event series and multi-platform programming, a newly-created department within Fox dedicated to managing the network?s limited-run and digital programming initiatives. Waterman will commission and develop long-form event series for Fox, working closely with FX Productions, and separately will oversee the content in the network?s new multi-platform programming, including Animation Domination High-Def (ADHD), The Short-Com Comedy Hour (working title), WIGS and other digital-to-broadcast efforts. She will report to Reilly.
   

In addition, Fox has hired Kiliaen Van Rensselaer as senior VP, Multi-Platform Programming. Previously News Corp senior VP, digital media Van Rensselaer will serve as the senior operational executive dedicated to Fox?s multi-platform programming and will work closely with Earley and Waterman to manage and grow that business.

Reilly said, "These appointments are an investment in some of our top people to strengthen our core programming business and take strategic steps forward with alternative platforms to incubate talent and ideas.

"With James - our ?go-to? Current exec for many years - heading up our Current team, Shana - a creative self-starter who has driven some of Fox?s most exciting initiatives - now heading up our Event Series and Multi-Platform efforts and Kiliaen - a key player from News Corp."

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has promoted Kevin Reilly to chairman of entertainment.

In his new role, Reilly will oversee all programming, scheduling, marketing, research, digital and business affairs at the network.

Fox Networks Group chairman, CEO Peter Rice said, "Kevin is a uniquely gifted executive with the strong strategic vision and creative instincts to ensure that Fox continues to drive the future of our industry. We are incredibly fortunate to have him here and thrilled he will be with us for many more years."

Fox has over the course of Reilly?s tenure extended its reign as the No. 1 network among Adults 18-49 for a record eight consecutive seasons and has repeatedly dominated among the young Adults 18-34 and Teen demographics. Under his leadership, the network launched ?Glee? and most recently introduced ?New Girl? as well as ?The X Factor?.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has created a new unit to oversee the development and production of alternative animated series, shorts and user-adapted material for a brand new late-night animated programming block and new digital multi-platform network.

To run this new unit, Fox has inked an exclusive deal with Nick Weidenfeld, former head of programme development for Adult Swim and executive producer of series ?Childrens Hospital? and ?The Boondocks?.

The network has also tapped producer Hend Baghdady as the executive in charge of production for the new division.

Under their leadership, the unit will develop and produce original animated shorts and series to run both on-air and online. The late-night programming block will air Saturdays on Fox and will feature four new animated series per season starting in January 2013.

The digital channel will extend across platforms such as Web, mobile apps, game consoles and Video on Demand. It kicks off in 2012 and will feature 50 original short-form pieces per year, online windows of Fox animated shows, and user-adapted content.

Fox will also use its expertise and cross-promotional power to nurture these new assets through this pipeline.

Fox president of entertainment Kevin Reilly said, "This may be the first time a network is building a clear bridge for talent to develop and grow ideas in the digital/alternative arena and organically move them into the mainstream. These new late-night series will be assets in their own right - but the clear possibility exists for a breakout digital success to graduate to primetime."

Prior to teaming with Fox under his Friends Night production company banner, Weidenfeld served as the head of programme development for Adult Swim. Over the last eight years, Weidenfeld helped grow the late-night block of programming on Cartoon Network Adult Swim.

MUMBAI: Reed Midem has announced that Fox president of entertainment Kevin Reilly will give a keynote address on 4 October, as part of the television trade event Mipcom?s Media Mastermind series of presentations.

Reilly will be joining the roster of industry leaders participating in the Art of Television conference track at this year?s Mipcom. His address will explore what it takes to develop and nurture some of the world?s most successful television series and the challenges and opportunities of an evolving media landscape.

Reilly comments, "Part of what I hope to do here is to discuss how to be mindful of the rules, but not fearful of breaking them. In this business, you need to know how to break the fundamentals and encourage a creator to go to the edge. Some of the best work comes when we break the rules."

Throughout his career, Reilly championed television shows such as ?he Sopranos?, ?ER?, ?The Shield?, ?The Office?, ?Heroes?, ?30 Rock? and ?The Biggest Loser?. He joined Fox in July 2007 and under his leadership, Fox launched ?Glee?