The Hollywoood Reporter is reporting that FOX has appointed an interim executive to serve as the network point person until a replacement is found for the recently departed reality chief, Mike Darnell.
David Hill, currently senior executive vp at News Corp. and a longtime fixture at the broadcasting giant where he ran Fox Sports Media Group, shepherded the launch of Fox Sports Japan and served in an advisory role across the company, will take on the more traditional network-producer relationship on the network’s two singing competition shows. Hill will serve as the network’s point person for the producers, while at the same time, the search will continue for someone to take Darnell’s place in running reality programming overall.
Hill was tapped due to his experience with live events. A source told THR, “They see a strong transition in David. These shows are well-oiled machines in some cases. He’ll serve as the main person from the network who’ll focus on them while a new as-yet-undetermined reality head will focus on development while getting up to speed on everything already in production and the pipeline.”
Hill, reportedly an experienced negotiator, has been described ast “outspoken,” a “swashbuckler,” a “tough guy,” and a “mad genius.” After News Corp head, Rupert Murdoch, moved Hill to the US in 1993, he was able to snag rights to NFL football from CBS. Also, he’s considered to be an innovator in the way live sports are covered.
Hill felt the way sports had been covered was old-fashioned and limited. His idea was that the viewer should see more than the action on the field from one or two angles. He wanted to bring the entire experience — in front of and behind the scenes — to the viewer, with more cameras than anyone ever aimed at a game before. He created the catcher cam, the gopher cam, the diamond cam and other unique viewpoints.
So…are we going to see the catcher and gopher cams employed on American Idol? It is sort of a blood sport, isn’t it? Heh. It sounds like FOX brass brought in a guy to who has no problem cracking the whip. Hm.
Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
