Chris Alexander, executive VP of publicity and corporate communications for Disney Television Studios, is stepping down from his role, after a combined 30 years at Disney and Fox. He will be leaving on Aug. 5.
HBO Publicity veteran Tonya Owens (l) is leaving the WarnerMedia network after 25 years to join Disney Television Studios as VP talent relations. Additionally, the Disney TV studio group has promoted longtime awards strategist Kottie Kreischer to VP awards and events.
Disney Television Studios has joined other major TV studios in pushing the post-holidays start of production for Los Angeles-based shows amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus infections and Covid-19 deaths in Los Angeles County. Sixteen scripted series produced by Disney TV Studios’ ABC Signature and 20th Television divisions will remain on holiday hiatus until Jan. 18, when production will resume. The shows had previously been slated to return to production on Jan. 11 or a few days earlier.
Disney Television Studios on Friday morning announced that it will be suspending production on limited series Genius: Aretha for at least three weeks. Additionally, the studio, comprising 20th Century Fox, ABC Studios and Fox 21, is postponing start of production on all of its in-cycle pilots and straight-to-series The Big Sky, including co-productions like The Brides (with WBTV) and Rebel (with Sony TV).
Exclusives
Warner Bros. TV veteran Craig Hunegs will be joining the Walt Disney Company at the close of the pending 21st Century Fox acquisition as President, Disney Television Studios, the combined TV studio operation comprised by 20th Century Fox TV, Fox 21 TV Studios and ABC Studios/ABC Signature. He will report to Dana Walden, Chairman, Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment.
