FremantleMedia Taps Trish Kinane to Oversee 'Idol,' 'X Factor,' 'AGT'

Exec named president of entertainment programming following Frot-Coutaz's promotion to CEO

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/21/2012 2:04:59 PM

Trish Kinane has been named president of entertainment programming at FremantleMedia North America where she will oversee production of American Idol, The X Factor and America's Got Talent, the comapny said Thursday.

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, who previously oversaw production of the three reality series as CEO of FMNA is succeeding Tony Cohen as CEO of parent company FremantleMedia effective July 1.

Kinane, who is currently president of worldwide entertainment at FremantleMedia, will be responsible for all strategic day-to-day operational and creative aspects of Idol, X Factor and AGT, where she will work closely with Fox and NBC and FMNA's production partners Syco and 19.

"Trish's experience, combined with her remarkable natural creative instincts and inherent management and production know how make her the perfect choice to ensure the continued success of these market leading shows," Frot-Coutaz said in a statement.

Kinane assumes her new role Aug. 1 and will be based in Los Angeles, initially reporting to Frot-Coutaz.