MUMBAI: There has been a management restructuring at News Corp. Assuming the new designation of entertainment chairman at Fox Networks Group, Fox entertainment chairman Peter Rice will oversee FX Networks (FX and Fox Movie Channel).
The move brings all entertainment-centred domestic Fox networks namely broadcast and cable under the purview of Rice and marks a big promotion for the former Fox Searchlight topper who has been in the TV business for 10 months.
Similarly, Fox Sports chairman and CEO David Hill will be in charge of all Fox sports TV operations including Fox Sports, the company‘s 19 regional sports networks, Fox Soccer Channel, Speed, Fox Sports en Espanol and Fuel TV. He also will oversee the company‘s joint venture sports businesses Stats and Big Ten Network.
Both Rice and Hill will continue to report to Fox Networks Group chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra.
A potential new role is being worked out for Rich Battista, who was till now overseeing Fox‘s cable nets as president of Fox National Cable Networks, reporting to Vinciquerra.
Said News Corp. president and COO Chase Carey, "This reorganization is not targeted at short-term change but at maintaining our momentum while better aligning us in key content areas for long-term growth,", adding that "Rich Battista is a valued member of this company, and we hope to find a new opportunity for him in the near term."