Liguori New President, Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting
Quick on the heels of the news earlier this week that Fox Broadcasting Co. entertainment chief Gail Berman ankled her post at the network to become a top creative player at Paramount Pictures, comes the announcement that Peter Liguori has been named to replace her as president, entertainment. Liguori will be responsible for all FOX program development and scheduling, as well as marketing, business affairs and promotions.
Liguori has been president /ceo of News Corp.s FX Networks since 1998, where he oversaw business and programming operations for FX and the Fox Movie Channel. Under his leadership, FX rose from a nascent network to one of the top five basic cable networks with the critically acclaimed programs like NIP/TUCK, THE SHIELD and RESCUE ME and the award-winning FX Original Movies franchise, with films such as REDEMPTION, THE PENTAGON PAPERS and 44 MINUTES.
Peter has done an extraordinary job with FX, said Peter Chernin, president/coo of News Corp. He took what was largely a blank slate and turned it into arguably the hottest network in cable. Hes produced more quality cable programming in the past three years than anyone in the business and has raised the bar for distinctive television. Peter is taking over FBC at a time when the network is in as good a competitive position as its ever been, and thats thanks in large part to the leadership and creative instincts Gail Berman demonstrated in her five years at FOX. I look forward to seeing Peter make his own mark on the network.
The original programming that has been the heart of Liguoris strategy for FX has helped boost its subscriber base from 39 to more than 84 million homes in five years and historically high ratings, which has led FX to all-time highs in advertising and affiliate revenues. In the past three years, FX has been honored with more industry awards than any other basic cable network for its original movies and series.
Liguori and the FX team, led by John Landgraf, have developed several new series scheduled to premiere later this year, including 30 DAYS, a new documentary series from Academy-Award nominee Morgan Spurlock (SUPER SIZE ME); scripted comedies STARVED and ITS ALWAYS SUNNY in Philadelphia; the battle drama OVER THERE, from Stephen Bochco; and THIEF, starring Emmy-Award winner Andre Braugher.
Seasoned with broad consumer marketing as well as programming experience, Liguori joined FOX/Liberty Networks in 1996 as svp, marketing for a new joint venture, which today includes Fox Sports Net, FX, Fox Sports World, SPEED and the National Geographic Channel.
Previously Liguori was vp, consumer marketing at HBO. He also held several positions in HBOs Home Video division, including vp, marketing and svp, marketing, where his duties included the creation and implementation of marketing programs for all HBO home video product expansion and development of its programming lineup.
A producer of the well-known independent film BIG NIGHT, he earlier worked in advertising at Ogilvy & Mather and Saatchi & Saatchi.
News Corp. is a diversified international media and entertainment company with operations in eight industry segments: filmed entertainment; television; cable network programming; direct broadcast satellite television; magazines and inserts; newspapers; book publishing; and other. The activities of News Corp. are conducted principally in the United States, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and the Pacific Basin.