Battista New Fox National Cable Nets President

By Jon Lafayette

Rich Battista is rejoining Fox Networks Group as president of Fox National Cable Networks, the company announced Wednesday.

Mr. Battista most recently service as CEO of Gemstar-TV Guide International, which was bought by Macrovision. In his new job, he will oversee FX, National Geographic Channel, Fox Movie Channel, Fox Reality Channel, Fuel, Speed, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox College Sports, Fox Sports en Espanol, the Big Ten Network and Fox Cable Ad Sales.

“We’ve been looking for the right opportunity for Rich to rejoin our team ever since the Gemstar sale earlier this year,” said Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group. “He is a uniquely skilled executive who has demonstrated success in virtually every area of the television business.  I’m delighted he’s returning to the company.”

In his previous stint with Fox, Mr. Battista was executive VP for business development and strategy for Fox Entertainment Group. He’d originally joined Fox in 1990.