July 23 (Reuters) – Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp said
on Monday it had promoted Peter Rice to chairman and chief
executive of its Fox Networks Group in the first step of an
expected executive shake-up ahead of the company’s split into
two separate entertainment and news companies next year.
It also said long-time Fox Sports CEO David Hill has been
promoted to a wider post of senior executive vice president for
News Corp.
The double move means Rice will now also oversee sports, one
of the most lucrative sectors of the TV business, in addition to
Fox Broadcasting, international and cable networks.
Hill will focus on programming, digital initiatives and
other opportunities globally.
There has been much speculation about how News Corp will
cram all its executive talent into the new News Corp
entertainment company after the split from its newspapers and
publishing business. Alongside Murdoch as chairman and CEO, and
Chase Carey as his No.2, there are also Murdoch’s two children
Elisabeth and James, who are both entertainment executives.
