MUMBAI: The man behind American Idol is going to be leading the effort to get Fox television's upcoming Fox Reality Channel off and running.
David Lyle will take charge of Fox's upcoming reality channel in the US. Lyle was previously president of entertainment for FremantleMedia. Lyle will serve as COO and GM of Fox Reality Channel.
During Lyle's time at FremantleMedia, he led a team that launched and guided American Idol to three seasons of growth at Fox. Both that programme and others he guided helped to establish new ways of integrating top sponsors like AT&T, Coca-Cola, Ford, Sears and Proctor & Gamble into unscripted production.
Lyle's three years atop FremantleMedia resulted in a deep diversification in programming for the company, as he produced primetime network shows and key series for major outlets including MTV, Lifetime, TLC, GSN, Pax TV and the Food Network.
Fox Reality Channel has set itself the target of premiering in more than 17 million homes in the US next year. Only four new networks in the history of cable or satellite television (FX, Fox News Channel, Animal Planet and National Geographic Channel) have surpassed 20 million homes in their initial year, according to Nielsen data.
Fox Networks Group president and CEO Tony Vinciquerra said, "Fox Reality Channel is a natural complement to the studios, networks, programme libraries and international operations we have around the globe. David's skills will prove a tremendous benefit to Fox Reality Channel as it establishes itself as a key destination within the unscripted world."
Lyle said, "Great reality shows leave viewers wanting more, and the Fox Reality Channel will provide more current reality favourites, more never-before-seen footage, and more new productions. The Fox Reality Channel will be the place for the huge number of fans of unscripted television for whom too much reality is barely enough."
During his 25 year career Lyle has also served as the head of development and acquisitions for the Kerry Packer owned Nine Network, which is based out of Sydney. He was among the first international broadcasters to create local versions of top formats like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire .
