Fox Scheduling Head Preston Beckman to Move to Senior Strategist

Assumes advisory role in June 2012 under Peter Rice, Fox Networks Group

By Lindsay Rubino -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/6/2012 3:21:50 PM

Fox Broadcasting Co. announced Friday that Preston Beckman, executive vice president of strategic programming planning and research, will move into a new role as senior strategist for Fox Networks Group. He will assume the role in June 2012, reporting directly Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment, FNG.

Fox will hire someone else to replace Beckman in his day-to-day scheduling role, according to a network spokesperson.

In his new role, Beckman will lend his extensive insight into scheduling, programming and research across FNG's entertainment divisions.

"Fox has been incredibly fortunate to have Preston guiding our schedule for the past decade and seven consecutive years of No. 1 finishes," said Rice. "His strategic mind and love of television make him the Muhammad Ali of scheduling executives, and we all look forward to working closely with him, here at Fox, for many more years."

Beckman has served as executive VP, strategic program planning and research at Fox for the past 11 years. He has overseen the scheduling strategy of series launches, sweeps events and programming operations. Beckman has also worked closely with Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment at Fox, on the scheduling and formatting of Fox's American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance and The X Factor.

Prior to Fox, Beckman spent 20 years at NBC; he was ultimately elevated to executive vice president, program planning & scheduling, NBC Entertainment.

"In my job, you're only as good as the people who bring us their ideas and the executives who nurture and market the shows. I have been very fortunate to work with the best in the business and to have a scheduling team that is second to none," said Beckman. "I also want to thank Peter for persuading me to remain in the FNG family and for giving me the opportunity to transition over the next three years to whatever path I choose to follow."