Oh, interesting. Dancing with the Stars executive producer Rob Wade has been named President of Alternative Entertainment and Specials at FOX broadcasting. Wade was also an executive producer on X Factor USA and America’s Got Talent. With so much experience in competitive reality, I wonder if Wade will bring more singing/dancing shows to FOX.
Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) has named producer and executive Rob Wade, President, Alternative Entertainment and Specials, it was announced today by Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen and CEOs, Fox Television Group. Reporting to Newman and Walden, Wade will oversee the network’s unscripted programming, specials and alternative development slate. He will join the network in March.
“Unscripted programming is one of the true hallmarks of broadcast television. No other platform captures the immediacy and excitement of a big, broad, breakout unscripted hit like broadcast, and we are committed to expanding our efforts in this area beginning today, with Rob,” said Newman and Walden. “Rob’s an incredibly well-respected executive and producer with a proven track record working on reality hits. He’s also a creator himself, which makes him the perfect person to lead this charge. We’re confident Rob has the creative vision to shape this area in the same way we’ve shaped the scripted side at the studio through our partnerships with some of the best talent in the business.”
“FOX has always been a pioneer in unscripted television, delivering its boldest and most innovative hits,” said Wade. “I am thrilled to be given the chance to work with the best talent in the business and hope I can add to that legacy.”
Over the last 20 years, Wade has specialized in live, music, variety and reality programming. He most recently served as the showrunner on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and was the head of Entertainment Development at BBC Worldwide. Wade was executive producer on FOX’s The X Factor and NBC’s America’s Got Talent, and was Head of TV at SyCo Entertainment North America. In addition to Dancing with the Stars, he has worked on a broad spectrum of successful series, including Grease: You’re the One that I Want, Big Brother, Dog Eat Dog and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here. He’s also developed shows and pilots for NBC, FOX, ITV, Univision, MTV, VH1, Channel 4 and the BBC.
