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Executive Shuffle Continues at FX Networks

Jun 6, 2013  •  Post A Comment

The management shuffle continues at FX Networks in advance of the company’s planned fall expansion. According to The Hollywood Reporter, newly anointed CEO John Landgraf elevated his longtime lieutenants.

“FX executives Nick Grad, Eric Schrier and Chuck Saftler each have been promoted to the position of president, a move that follows Tuesday’s announcment that Landgraf would be upped to chief executive of both FX Networks and in-house studio FX Productions,” the story reports. “The executive shuffling comes some three months before Landgraf and the newly promoted trio are set to roll out FXX, a primarily comedy-focused network targeting a slightly younger 18-34 demo, as well as expand both FX and FXM (formerly Fox Movie Channel). In an upfront presentation to ad buyers earlier this year, the team said that it intends to deliver more than 25 original scripted series across the suite of channels over the next three years.”

Grad and Schrier will share the roles of president of original programming for FX Networks and FX Productions, meaning they will oversee all programming for FX, FXM and FXX. “Saftler will serve as president of program strategy and COO of FX Networks, which will give him oversight of scheduling, acquisitions and operations for the group of cable nets,” the piece reports. “He will also oversee specials, including award shows, and will continue to have creative and business oversight of the 10/90 series, including Charlie Sheen’s ‘Anger Management’ and the upcoming George Lopez comedy, ‘Saint George.’”

Landgraf commented: “Nick, Eric and Chuck have been involved in every facet of FX’s success over the past decade. It is only appropriate to see them each take on more responsibility as we pursue an ambitious expansion of our channels, programming and distribution platforms. While it is hard at times to step back from some of the day-to-day creative dialogues I love so much, it makes it easier when trusted colleagues and longtime partners are stepping up. It is my honor to work with them.”

Grad has been at FX since 2002, and was previously executive VP of original programming and development. Schier has been on board since 1999, most recently as executive VP of FX Productions and head of series development for FX.

“For his part, Saftler has the distinction of being the longest-tenured FX employee, having joined the network as director of scheduling in December of 1993, seven months prior to the network’s launch,” THR reports. The piece adds: “More recently, he has been responsible for assembling FX’s blockbuster-heavy movie library as well as the network’s UFC interests and all deals for its acquired series, including ‘Two and a Half Men,’ ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Mike & Molly.’”

Earlier this week Landgraf, who had been president and general manager of FX Networks and FX Productions, was promoted to CEO of both entities, as previously reported.

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