FOX has finally hired a new reality chief. Simon Andreae will take over the post left when long time FOX executive, Mike Darnell left in June.
David Hill was hired last spring spring and has been the point person for American Idol and The X Factor in the wake of Darnell’s departure. I’m assuming the ex-sports chief will now report to Andrea.
Read the press release from FOX
SIMON ANDREAE JOINS FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY AS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ALTERNATIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) has tapped longtime reality executive and multi-award winning producer Simon Andreae as Executive Vice President of Alternative Entertainment, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. Reporting to Reilly, Andreae will oversee the network’s slate of unscripted programming and specials, as well as lead an aggressive development effort to expand FOX’s pipeline of unscripted fare.
“This was a highly sought-after role in town, and given FOX’s legacy in groundbreaking unscripted entertainment, we were looking for a particular caliber of executive – and we found the perfect fit in Simon,” said Reilly. “Not only is Simon known for innovative thinking, he’s a dynamic leader who has been a producer and a network executive on both sides of the pond, and he has the energy and drive to open a new chapter in FOX unscripted.”
“I’m very grateful to Kevin and his team for giving me this opportunity. My intention is to help build on FOX’s rich heritage of risk and innovation and to help support and extend its range of category-defining shows and world-leading talent,” Andreae added.
Based in Los Angeles, Andreae will also look to leverage his British and European relationships to expand the network’s international presence.
Previously, Andreae served as Senior Vice President of Development and Production, West Coast, at Discovery Channel, where he oversaw the development of ratings hits “Naked and Afraid” and “Fast N’ Loud,” as well as the multi-award winning series “Curiosity,” with episodes including “Why is Sex Fun?,” with Maggie Gyllenhaal; and “Your Body on Drugs,” with Robin Williams; as well as the headline-grabbing “Plane Crash,” in which a full-size passenger jet was rigged with cameras and crashed in the Mexican desert.
Prior to joining Discovery, Andreae served as President of The Incubator, which produced unscripted shows for Spike, USA, Vh1, Discovery, History, Channel 4, TLC and Science, including the Emmy® Award-nominated “Through the Wormhole,” with Morgan Freeman, now in its fifth season.
Andreae also served as Head of Science and Education at Channel Four in the U.K., where he commissioned breakthrough content such as “The Autopsy,” “Anatomy for Beginners” and smash hit series “Bodyshock.” Under his leadership, the division received its highest ratings in 22 years, as well as BAFTA and Emmy® Awards.
Andreae started his career as a founding partner of U.K. indie Optomen Television, today one of the country’s largest and most respected nonfiction production companies.
