Longtime studio exec Chet Dave has been promoted to head the studio’s comedy division. He replaces Cheryl Dolins, who left the studio in December. Dave, who will hold the SVP comedy development title, will report to EVP Development Carolyn Cassidy.
Nearly a year and a half after acquiring 20th Century Fox Television and Fox 21 TV Studios, Disney is changing the former to simply 20th Television, while the latter will become Touchstone Television. Additionally, ABC Studios and its subsidiary ABC Signature Studios are folding into one unit that will now be called ABC Signature. The full integration of the Disney Television Studios rebranding is effective immediately, with new logos and motion end cards that viewers will see on screen expected to be completed by year’s end. No executive changes or layoffs are expected as part of the changes.
Exclusives
Official: ‘Page Six TV’ Headed To Syndication
The co-production of the New York Post and Endemol Shine North America has been picked up by Fox O&Os in 17 markets and is set to debut next fall.
Tim Allen visited Chicago last Thursday to promote the off-network syndication launch of his sitcom, Last Man Standing. The comedy holds the No. 1 slot among all the new first-run and off-network syndicated programming and is already ranked No. 6 among all 19 syndicated comedies. Last Man Standing airs on many Tribune stations, including WPIX New York, KTLA Los Angeles, WGN Chicago, WPHL Philadelphia and KDAF Dallas. On hand were (l-r): Ken Lawson, 20th Television, Sean Compton, Tribune, Allen and Larry Wert, Tribune.
It will use WiOffer’s WiO cross-platform mobile app to supply offers, savings and information anytime, anywhere from national or hyper-local brands. WiO will be promoted across 20th Television’s shows, and features voice recognition, text and ACR (audio content recognition) technologies, allowing viewers to interact with advertiser brands.
