News Corporation President and COO Chase Carey announced a restructuring of the Fox Networks Group (FNG) following Tony Vinciquerra’s decision to step down after eight years.
Vinciquerra, who has served as Chairman and CEO of the group since 2002, will leave the company 2/11. David Haslingden, CEO of Fox International Channels, will relocate to LA to become President/COO of Fox Networks Group, reporting to Carey. Haslingden will oversee strategic business development, finance, legal, advertising sales and corporate functions across the group.
FNG execs David Hill, Chairman and CEO of Fox Sports Media Group; Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group; and Mike Hopkins, President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing for Fox Networks, will also report to Carey as part of the new structure.
Hernan Lopez, who has been influential in shepherding the company’s international cable channel growth, is being promoted to President and CEO of Fox International Channels, reporting to Haslingden.
Randy Freer and Eric Shanks, each of whom held separate president titles at FOX Sports, will now serve as Co-President and COOs of Fox Sports Media Group. The duo will take on direct responsibility for the sports cable channels, including Fox Soccer Channel, SPEED, FOX Deportes and FUEL TV, reporting to Hill. Shanks and Freer will also gain oversight of all digital ventures for the sports group.
Hill, who is considered one of the sports industry’s most creative and forward-thinking programmers, will expand his role to manage Fox’s oversight of the National Geographic Channels domestic JV and will take a seat on the National Geographic Channels board, along with Haslingden and Hopkins.
Rice will continue in his role as Chairman, Entertainment for the Fox Networks Group, with oversight of Fox Broadcasting Company and the FX Networks (FX and the Fox Movie Channel), led by Jon Landgraf.
Hopkins will remain in his role as President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing for the cable channels and will take on responsibility for developing digital strategies for the networks of FNG. In addition, he will gain oversight of network distribution at Fox Broadcasting Company. Jon Hookstratten, EVP/Network Distribution, will report to Hopkins.
