DISNEY|ABC TELEVISION UPS PATRICK MORAN TO PRESIDENT, ABC STUDIOS

Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney|ABC Television Group, today announced that respected industry executive Patrick Moran has been promoted to president, ABC Studios, the main television production unit of The Walt Disney Company. Having joined the company in 2010, Moran most recently served as executive vice president of ABC Studios, where, over the past several years, he had been responsible for the production of such hit series as "Scandal," "Criminal Minds," "black-ish," "How to Get Away with Murder," "Quantico," "American Crime" and "Once Upon A Time." He will continue to report directly to Mr. Sherwood.

In making the announcement, Mr. Sherwood said, "ABC Studios produces hundreds of hours of the highest quality original programming distributed across networks, streaming services and around the world. Under Patrick's leadership, ABC Studios has grown as a beacon of creativity and excellence, developing award-winning and captivating content with loyal audiences everywhere. As the demand for great content increases and viewer behavior evolves, Patrick's savvy as a creative and business leader will help drive ABC Studios to even greater heights."

Moran said, "I am so proud to be a part of ABC Studios and to work with a truly amazing team of dedicated and talented individuals who share my passion for television. I'm honored that Ben has given me this vote of confidence and look forward to continuing to bring together amazing stories, creative talent and high-quality production in order to build ABC Studios into the world's preeminent supplier of premium content."

Moran and his team have recruited high-profile talent to ABC Studios, such as multi-award winning writer/director John Ridley and Kenya Barris, and have continued to oversee development deals with Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland, Mandeville Television and other prominent creative talent.

In the current 2016-2017 television season, ABC Studios has 28 series on the air and in production on broadcast, cable and streaming services. Moran's slate includes hit series "How to Get Away with Murder," for which Viola Davis won the groundbreaking 2015 Best Actress Emmy Award; "black-ish," which is currently nominated for three Emmy Awards, including Best Comedy; and "American Crime," nominated for 10 Emmy Awards, including outstanding Limited Series, and for which Regina King won the 2015 Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series Emmy. Other studio-produced hit series include "Grey's Anatomy," "Quantico," "Once Upon a Time," "Scandal," "Secrets and Lies," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "The Real O'Neals."

In addition, ABC Studios works closely with Marvel on the production of all of their television endeavors, including the recently announced "Marvel's Runaways" for Hulu and "Marvel's Cloak and Dagger" for Freeform. These series join the critically acclaimed "Marvel's Daredevil" and "Marvel's Jessica Jones," as well as upcoming series "Marvel's Luke Cage," "Marvel's Iron Fist," "Marvel's The Punisher" and cross-over series "Marvel's The Defenders" for Netflix.

ABC Studios also produces series for multiple networks outside of ABC, including "Criminal Minds," "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders" and "Code Black" for CBS, and previously "Devious Maids" for Lifetime.

In 2013, Moran launched ABC Signature, the Studio boutique division focused on cable and streaming outlets. Signature recently produced "Dead of Summer" for Freeform and is working on the recently announced pilot "SMILF" for Showtime. The Studio also has projects set up at Amazon, FX, HBO, Hulu, History, TNT and TV Land.

Moran joined ABC Studios as senior vice president of drama development, and was quickly promoted to senior vice president & head of Creative Development for ABC Studios, where he oversaw all comedy and drama development.

Prior to working at ABC Studios, Moran was senior vice president of Drama Development at 20th Century Fox Television, where he developed such successful series as "Glee," "Bones" and "Prison Break." He also served as vice president of Drama Development at UPN, president of Renaissance Pictures and vice president of Production and Development at New Line Television.