Chairman Kevin Reilly steps down from his post at FOX. Reilly was recently in the spotlight for calling the traditional pilot-season a “waste of money”.
In an open interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the chairman of Fox Broadcasting says he’s ready for something else after ten years in this profession. Reilly’s history in television is long and successful with his name tied to 'The Sopranos', 'The Shield' and 'The Office' before his tenure at FOX. In 2007 the former NBC president starts at FOX and oversees the launch of hits like 'Glee' and 'New Girl. But a lot has changed since then. Ratings stumble across the major broadcasting networks and FOX has taken its own share of beatings. It ended the season in fourth place after the Upfronts. Ratings juggernaut 'American Idol' sank to an all time low this past season with only eight million viewers. 'Glee' is entering its final season next year and 'New Girl' is often outperformed by The CW’s 'The Originals' in the same timeslot. Out of all the new shows that premiered on FOX in the 2013/2014 season only 'Sleepy Hollow' and 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' are left standing.
The move begs for answers concerning the future of FOX. Reilly made quite the stir in January when he told the press he was moving away from the traditional pilot season. Instead he opts for a more cable-like system where he greenlit shows like Hieroglyph based on just the scripts. Now Reilly says he hopes his successor will follow in his footsteps. According to himself, the decision to step down is entirely in accordance with his boss, Peter Rice. “I love the fact that FOX culture here encourages you to go do that and make those kind of waves. I hope it’s the beginning of change and not the end of it, even though I’m going to let somebody else push that boulder up the hill,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. In a letter to his employees Reilly asks them “not to return to pilot-season!”
FOX is reportedly already looking for a replacement which will most likely be someone internally. The fall line-up as approved by Reilly will continue as planned.
Like?
1
0
Who have voted
Comments (0)