or


[08/30/10 - 02:44 PM]
Michael Riley Named President, ABC Family
Prior to this announcement, Riley served as senior vice president and general manager, Radio Disney.

[via press release from ABC Family]

MICHAEL RILEY NAMED PRESIDENT, ABC FAMILY

Burbank, California, Monday, August 30, 2010 . . . Respected television and radio executive Michael Riley has been named president, ABC Family, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks & president, Disney/ABC Television Group, to whom he will report.

In this new position, Riley will have oversight of ABC Family's original programming and acquisitions, franchise management, marketing, sales and operations, and be responsible for the overall strategic and creative direction for the channel.

In making the announcement, Sweeney stated, "Michael's talent and drive are eclipsed only by the enthusiasm and passion he brings to every opportunity. I'm confident his unique set of skills and experience will help us further ABC Family's amazing momentum."

Riley added, "I am extremely proud to have been part of a great team at Radio Disney and very much look forward to joining the incredibly passionate and inventive team at ABC Family. Their success over the past few years has been exceptional, driven by innovative storytelling, unique characters and iconic branding, and I'm honored to be given the opportunity to help build this amazing Millennial brand."

Coming off its most watched year ever in 2009 and pacing at record levels in 2010, over the past seven years ABC Family has grown its Prime audience by impressive margins, increasing by 76% in Total Viewers (1.4 million vs. 797,000), by 70% in A18-49 (627,000 vs. 368,000) and by 78% in W18-49 (409,000 vs. 230,000). Among the net's core younger demo sets, the net's Prime delivery has more than doubled over the past seven years: +115% in A18-34 (348,000 vs. 162,000), +122% in W18-34 (238,000 vs. 107,000), +115% in V12-34 (584,000 vs. 271,000) and +124% in F12-34 (413,000 vs. 184,000).

Prior to this announcement, Riley served as senior vice president and general manager, Radio Disney, where he oversaw the strategic management of the Radio Disney network and its portfolio of 36 owned radio stations, leading them to record ratings through original multi-platform content achievements. He joined The Walt Disney Company in April 2008. An announcement regarding a new general manager for Radio Disney will be made in the near future.

Previously Riley was senior vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System, Europe, Middle East and Africa. In this post he was responsible for developing the CNN commercial strategy and the overall brand strategy for the entertainment channels Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TCM, TNT and Adult Swim in Germany, Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Other key responsibilities included the management of advertising sales, marketing and interactive commerce functions, as well as supporting the company's programming development and acquisition strategy.

From 2004-06 he was vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System France, with responsibility for all Turner channels in that market. From 2000-03, he was vice president, Turner Classic Movies, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and from 1997-2000 he was vice president, Business Development, Television and Interactive Media, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.

From 1996-97, Riley was a strategy consultant with the global advertising and media conglomerate WPP Group in London and New York, where he conducted strategic reviews of the group's specialist communication companies, including Ogilvy and Mather, J Walter Thompson. He was a business consultant for the Canadian Pacific conglomerate in Toronto from 1992-95, working across its Strategy and Information division on a range of interests including hotels, real estate, oil production, resorts and railroads.

Riley, who is fluent in French, was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and raised in Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is a 1997 graduate of London Business School with a Masters in Business Administration, and completed an international program at Columbia Business School in 1996. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Administration and Commercial Studies from University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada in 1992.





  [august 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[08/26/26 - 10:45 AM]
"Survivor" Reveals the 21 New Castaways Competing on the 51st Edition - The First in the Series' New "Open Era" - With a Two-Hour Season Premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 23
The groundbreaking reality series, which shifts to 90-minute weekly episodes beginning Wednesday, September 30 at 8:00 PM, returns with an all-new expanded class of dynamic and determined competitors.

[08/26/26 - 10:18 AM]
BET Brings Chris "CP" Powell's Acclaimed Comedy Special "Sunday After Six" to Screens September 1
Host of the revived "ComicView: Rooftop Series," Chris "CP" Powell brings his 90-minute stand-up special to the screen, centered on relatable life experiences and everyday scenarios as a Black man.

[08/26/26 - 10:05 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Blockbuster 72-Game NHL on TNT Schedule for 2026-27 NHL Regular Season, Starting Wednesday, Sept. 30
The season will culminate with TNT Sports' presentation of the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the 2027 Stanley Cup Final exclusively on TNT Sports platforms.

[08/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
ESPN Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games for 2026-27 Season
Of the 100 exclusive games, 53 matchups will be available on ESPN and ABC, while the remaining 47 matchups can be streamed on ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu.

[08/26/26 - 10:01 AM]
What's New on HBO Max This September
Highlights include Sharon Horgan's comedy "Youth" on September 20 and "4 Blocks" prequel series "4 Blocks Zero" on September 25.

[08/26/26 - 09:48 AM]
"Dolly: An NBC News Special" to Air Tonight at 9 P.M. ET
Anchored by Lester Holt, "Dolly: An NBC News Special" will look back at Parton's remarkable journey to stardom, her groundbreaking career and her lasting impact far beyond music.

[08/26/26 - 09:14 AM]
The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Hosted by Kirk Franklin, Airs Sunday, August 30, on BET
Taped in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Spectrum Center under this year's theme, "Feels Like Home," the ceremony brings together gospel's most celebrated artists, trailblazers, and rising stars for a night of worship, inspiration, and world-class performances.

[08/26/26 - 09:05 AM]
ESPN Premieres "Shooting Stars" and "13.4 Seconds to Nowhere" Aug. 27
The films were developed through a collaboration between ESPN, ESPN Deportes and Tribeca Studios to bring to life compelling stories at the intersection of sports and the Latino community.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Date, Key Art & Trailer Debut - Hulu's "The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives" Season Five
Season five premieres with all five episodes on Thursday, September 10 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Jay-Z in 8," An HBO Original Documentary Series, Debuts September 18
In Rick Rubin's directorial documentary debut, the series unfolds over many hours of candid conversation between two creative superstars.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: BritBox Debuts Official Trailer and Key Art for "Agatha Christie's Tommy & Tuppence," Premiering September 15th
In the first contemporary English language television adaptation of Agatha Christie's stories, Tommy and Tuppence are a detective duo for the ages.

[08/26/26 - 08:46 AM]
Disney+ Greenlights New Romantic Comedy from Element Pictures and Sinestra
"Mad Love" (w/t) follows Maddy Caruso, a British wedding planner, for an eclectic list of clients in the stunning Italian countryside.

[08/26/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Wonka's The Golden Ticket" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this one-of-a-kind reality competition, lucky players step inside Wonka's chocolate factory to face unpredictable games, tests and temptations.

[08/26/26 - 08:01 AM]
Unsuspecting Homeowners Get the Ultimate Renovation Surprise in New HGTV Series "House Shock" Premiering Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 9 pm ET/PT
Arielle Vandenberg will team up with expert contractor Steve Lewis to help pull off surprise overhauls of spaces the recipients have dreamed of updating, whether neglected, abandoned or just plain despised.

[08/26/26 - 08:00 AM]
Fever-Sky on "Sunday Night Basketball" on NBC and Peacock Is the Most-Watched WNBA Regular-Season Game Since Opening Weekend of League's Inaugural 1997 Season
The game peaked at 3.82 million viewers.