The president of ABC Entertainment Group has signed a new multiyear contract to remain in the position and to continue as head of the sibling ABC Studios.

Writing on Deadline.com, Nellie Andreeva reports that the extension for Paul Lee means ABC will head into next month’s upfronts with an executive team that will remain in place for several years. The new contract follows the network’s recent appointment of ABC News President Ben Sherwood to replace Anne Sweeney as president of Disney/ABC Television Group and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, the story notes.

“Lee has faced a number of challenges during his first term, with several high-profile new series not able to take hold,” Andreeva writes. “Despite some inroads, ABC is expected to finish No. 4 among adults 18-49 again this season. I hear Lee’s decision to re-sign stems at least in part from his desire to see through his plan for the network’s turnaround.”

Andreeva also notes: “Lee is well liked by top Disney brass as well as within the Hollywood community and had been in discussions about a contract renewal when Sweeney made her announcement last month that she would be leaving the company in January.”

Paul Lee