Fox Restructures Current Programming Team

Oh to oversee current series; Waterman to lead event series, multiplatform programming

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/19/2013 5:30:00 PM

Following the departure of executive VP Marcy Ross earlier this month, Fox is restructuring its current programming team under two executives.

James Oh and Shana C. Waterman, who had been given interim control of current series after Ross' exit, have been named senior VP of current programming and senior VP of event series and multiplatform programming, respectively. Beginning immediately, Oh will oversee production and creative coverage for all of Fox's new and returning scripted series.

Waterman will oversee a newly created department managing the network's limited run and digital programming initiatives. She will commission long-form event series, like Blood Brothers and M. Night Shyamalan's Wayward Pines currently in development, working closely with FX Productions. Waterman will also oversee Animation Domination High-Def, The Short-Com Comedy Hour and other digital-to-broadcast projects.

Oh will report to Fox COO Joe Earley and manage the network's entire current programming team while Waterman will report to Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly.

The network has also hired Kiliaen Van Rensselaer from News Corp. to be senior VP of multiplatform programming, working with Earley and Waterman to grow that business.

In addition, Fox has signed a multiyear programming, marketing and distribution pact with YouTube drama channel WIGS with the goal of growing the female-skewing viewer base and building content that can be programmed on Fox or other networks. WIGS will fall under Waterman's purview under the new executive structure.