Kevin Reilly has been promoted to Chairman of Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), it was announced today by Peter Rice, Chairman and CEO, Fox Networks Group. In his new role, Reilly will oversee all programming, scheduling, marketing, research, digital and business affairs at the network.
“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,” said Rice. “We are incredibly fortunate to have him here and thrilled he will be with us for many more years.”
Over the course of Reilly's tenure, FOX has 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 Emmy Award-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning pop culture phenomenon GLEE, and most recently introduced NEW GIRL, the network’s highest-rated sitcom in 10 years, as well as THE X FACTOR, last season’s No. 1 new unscripted series.
Reilly has also bolstered FOX’s leadership and investment in digital and social media, and was the architect behind the recently launched Animation Domination HD – an independent production subsidiary now ramping up production to generate alternative animation for digital channels and a late-night block on FOX.
“I am grateful to Peter for extending my role at FOX where I'm inspired every day by the incredible leadership of Joe Earley, Mike Darnell and our entire team at the network – as well as the leadership above us at News Corporation,” said Reilly. “This is a transformative time in our industry – one that presents huge opportunities – and we intend for FOX, and all of our programming, to remain the gold standard for innovation.”
Throughout his career, Reilly has distinguished himself as one of television’s most influential and forward-thinking leaders. Prior to joining FOX in 2007, Reilly served as President of Entertainment at NBC, where he introduced popular hits such as “The Office,” “The Biggest Loser,” “Heroes,” “Friday Night Lights” and the multi-award-winning Tina Fey sitcom, “30 Rock.” Reilly joined NBC from FX, where he served as President of Entertainment and was instrumental in successfully transforming it from a fledgling cable network into a profitable creative powerhouse. At FX, Reilly re-defined the basic cable business by branding the network with an aggressive slate of original quality programs, including seminal series “The Shield” and “Nip/Tuck.” Within a year of Reilly’s arrival, FX made cable history when “The Shield” broke cable ratings records and went on to receive a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Series (2002) and an Emmy Award for lead actor Michael Chiklis (2002) – both firsts for basic cable.
Prior to joining FX, Mr. Reilly was President of Brillstein-Grey Entertainment. He joined Brillstein-Grey in 1994 and was responsible for shepherding the pilot for the landmark series “The Sopranos” – one of the most successful and critically acclaimed shows in television history – and the NBC hit comedies “Just Shoot Me” and “NewsRadio.”
Early in his career, Reilly held a variety of positions at NBC Entertainment, where he had a hand in the development of distinctive and groundbreaking hits, including the pilots for “ER,” “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Law & Order.”
Source: Fox Networks Group