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NY Times

ABC Chief Forced Out in Power Struggle; Network Breaks Ground in Naming Successor

Feb 17, 2016  •  Post A Comment

The boss of the ABC Network has been forced out after losing a power struggle with a higher-ranking executive. The New York Times reports that ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee resigned today after battling with Disney-ABC Television Group Chairman Ben Sherwood over the direction of the network.

“Mr. Sherwood, who disagreed with Mr. Lee over programming choices and future strategy, has used ABC’s soft standing in the overall ratings race to make a case inside Disney for a management shake-up at the network,” The Times reports. “ABC announced that Mr. Lee would be succeeded by Channing Dungey, who becomes the first black president of a major broadcast network. Ms. Dungey has been the network’s executive vice president for drama development, movies and miniseries, where she was closely involved with shows like ‘Scandal’ and ‘American Crime.’”

Lee was behind hits such as “How to Get Away With Murder.” Sherwood became his boss early last year.

Along with his responsibility for ABC prime time, Lee oversaw ABC Studios. ABC announced that Executive VP Patrick Moran will take over that role, reporting to Sherwood.

PaulLeePaul Lee on CNN last year

One Comment

  1. So why did ABC/ Disney find it necessary to reduce Ms. Dungey’s responsibilities by removing “ABC studies?” Maybe this part of the larger reorg? Let’s hope!

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