Nellie Andreeva

James OhShana WatermanFox is restructuring its current department to include event series and digital programming. Part of that digital programming will be projects introduced under a multi-year pact Fox has signed with YouTube original drama channel WIGS. Fox’s VP Current Programming James Oh has been upped to SVP and will oversee all of Fox’s existing scripted series and manage Fox’s current programming team. He succeeds in the role of Fox’s head of current Marcy Ross who is departing the network. SVP Current Programming Shana C. Waterman will assume the title of SVP, Event Series & Multi-Platform Programming, a newly-created department set out to manage the network’s limited-run and digital programming initiatives. She will commission and develop long-form event series for Fox under the network’s joint initiative with FX, will oversee the network’s multi-platform programming, including Animation Domination High-Def (ADHD), The Short-Com Comedy Hour (working title), WIGS and other digital-to-broadcast efforts. Oh reports to Fox COO Joe Earley, Waterman to chairman Kevin Reilly. In addition, Fox has hired Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, previously SVP, Digital Media at News Corp, as SVP, Multi-Platform Programming. He will serve as the senior operational executive for Fox’s multi-platform programming. “With James – our ‘go-to’ Current exec for many years – heading up our Current team, Shana – a creative self-starter who has driven some of FOX’s most exciting initiatives – now heading up our Event Series and Multi-Platform efforts and Kiliaen – a key player from News Corp. Digital who has a deep background in digital strategy – now driving our new platforms business, we have the leaders and structure in place to run the most forward-thinking programming team in the industry,” Reilly said.

Expanding upon News Corp’s initial investment, Fox and WIGS have formed a programming, marketing and distribution partnership. It aims at expanding WIGS’ offerings as well as testing and nurturing dramatic concepts and talent in the digital realm. Under the terms of the agreement, Fox will collaborate in developing and marketing the channel to its target audience of female viewers, with an eye toward building content that can be programmed on the network and/or other channels.

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