John Landgraf Named President & General Manager, FX Networks

John Landgraf Named President & General Manager, FX Networks

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    LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2005--John Landgraf has been named President and General Manager, FX Networks, replacing former FX Networks President and CEO Peter Liguori who joined FOX Broadcasting Company as its President of Entertainment. The announcement was made by Tony Vinciquerra, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fox Networks Group, to whom Landgraf will report. Landgraf assumes responsibility for all business and programming operations including program development, scheduling, marketing, public relations, research and business affairs for FX Networks, which consists of FX and Fox Movie Channel.
    Landgraf has served as President of Entertainment for FX since January 2004, overseeing FX's original program strategy and making significant creative contributions to the network's three award-winning hits "The Shield," "Nip/Tuck" and "Rescue Me." In 2005 alone, FX will more than double its number of original series, all of which were developed under Landgraf. FX has ordered two new dramas, two new comedies, and a new documentary series, with four of these five new series scheduled to premiere this summer.
    "John's experience as both a network executive and also a producer and writer is exactly what's needed for FX to keep building upon its momentum of the past three years," said Vinciquerra. "FX is better positioned today than it has ever been, and we expect John's expertise will enhance FX's strength across both the business and creative communities."
    "FX is an extraordinary network, filled with passionate, creative executives who work tirelessly in support of some of the most original and talented artists in television today," said Landgraf. "While I am going to miss working with Peter Liguori very much, I am grateful to Tony Vinciquerra and Peter Chernin for their continued support, and for the opportunity to lead this channel at such an exciting time."
    Since arriving at FX 17 months ago, Landgraf has continued to develop and enhance cutting edge programming, while implementing the network's strategy to get back into the comedy and unscripted series business. June 15th will mark the debut of FX's new approach to unscripted series with the documentary-style series "30 Days" from Academy Award(R) nominated documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock. In late July, the network will introduce "Over There," the highly anticipated Iraq war drama from Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) Award winner Steven Bochco and Golden Globe(R) Award winning writer/director Chris Gerolmo. The new pair of comedies "Starved" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" are scheduled to debut in August. FX's fifth drama series, "Thief," starring Emmy Award winner Andre Braugher is slated for early 2006.
    Before coming to FX, Landgraf was President of Jersey Television, a company he co-founded along with former Jersey Films partners Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher. Jersey Television has produced series including the critically acclaimed "Karen Sisco" (ABC), "Reno 911!" (Comedy Central), UC: Undercover" (NBC), "The American Embassy" (FOX) and "Kate Brasher" (CBS). Landgraf and his partners served as executive producers on all of these projects.
    Prior to his stint at Jersey Television, Landgraf was Vice President of Primetime Series at NBC from 1994-1999. While there, Landgraf was a key contributor to developing hits "The West Wing," "Profiler" and "Suddenly Susan." He also maintained daily oversight as current programming executive on "ER," "Friends," "Profiler," "Jag" and "Suddenly Susan."
    Landgraf began his television career at Sarabande Productions as Director of Development in 1988, rising to the level of Senior Vice President before his departure to NBC in 1994. At Sarabande, Landgraf learned to produce and was active in selling, developing and producing television series, television/cable films and feature films.
    Fox Networks Group, an operating unit of News Corporation (NYSE:NWS), consists of the FOX Broadcasting Company, Fox Cable Networks, FOX Sports and Fox Networks Engineering & Operations (FNE&O). FOX Broadcasting Co. is one of the nation's most popular broadcast television networks, and Fox Cable Networks' ten national networks and 14 regional networks are collectively seen by more than 335 million cable and satellite television homes. FCN networks include FX, FSN and its 14 owned-and-operated regional sports networks; Fox College Sports; National Geographic Channel; SPEED Channel; Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Espanol; Fox Movie Channel; action sports network FUEL and Fox Reality. FCN also includes Fox Sports Enterprises, which manages Fox interests in sports franchises and leading statistical information provider STATS, Inc. FOX Sports is a leading proponent of high-definition television, and has earned more than 60 Emmy Awards for production excellence on NFL, MLB, NASCAR and other events. FNG's foxsports.com website is the fastest-growing sports information site on the Internet. A recognized innovator, Fox Networks Engineering & Operations provides physical production, transmission and facilities activities to FOX Broadcasting Co., each of the Fox Cable Networks and FOX Sports.

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CONTACT: Fox Networks Group Tom Tyrer, 310-369-0008 Kelsey Martinez, 310-369-0009

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE MANAGEMENT CHANGES PHOTO PHOTOWIRE SOURCE: Fox Networks Group PHOTO: 45077

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