MUMBAI: Television format creator, distributor FremantleMedia has announced the appointment of Thom Beers as CEO of the US business effective 1 September.

Beers, currently FremantleMedia-owned company Original Productions CEO, executive producer, will be based in Los Angeles and report directly to FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

Beers will be responsible for the company‘s overall management and business performance and will oversee the development, production and business operations of over 600 hours of network, cable and syndicated programming. He will lead an experienced executive team including FMNA COO Donna Redier Linsk and president of entertainment programming - ‘American Idol‘, ‘The X Factor‘ and ‘America?s Got Talent‘ Trish Kinane.

Frot-Coutaz said, "Thom Beers has a creative vision that has placed Original Productions, the company he founded, at the forefront of the industry. Thom?s multi-award winning combination of experience, innovation and expertise has made Original a dominant force on US primetime cable networks, and as an existing member of the FremantleMedia family he has a deep knowledge of our people, our company and our operations around the world. Thom is the perfect choice to take the helm of FMNA as it continues to grow, and we are very pleased that he has agreed to build on his successful leadership of Original and take on responsibility for FMNA."

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has promoted Kevin Reilly to chairman of entertainment.

In his new role, Reilly will oversee all programming, scheduling, marketing, research, digital and business affairs at the network.

Fox Networks Group chairman, CEO Peter Rice said, "Kevin is a uniquely gifted executive with the strong strategic vision and creative instincts to ensure that Fox continues to drive the future of our industry. We are incredibly fortunate to have him here and thrilled he will be with us for many more years."

Fox has over the course of Reilly?s tenure extended its reign as the No. 1 network among Adults 18-49 for a record eight consecutive seasons and has repeatedly dominated among the young Adults 18-34 and Teen demographics. Under his leadership, the network launched ?Glee? and most recently introduced ?New Girl? as well as ?The X Factor?.

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia has appointed Trish Kinane as FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) president of entertainment programming - ?American Idol?, ?The X Factor? and ?America?s Got Talent?, effective 1 August.

Kinane, currently FremantleMedia president of worldwide entertainment, will be based in Los Angeles where she will initially report to the incoming FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

Kinane will be responsible for overseeing all strategic, day-to-day operational and creative aspects of ?American Idol?, ?The X Factor? and ?America?s Got Talent?, on behalf of FMNA. As part of this role, she will also work closely with Fox and NBC as well as FMNA?s production partners Syco and 19 on the programmes.

Kinane said, ?American Idol, America?s Got Talent and The X Factor are loved by audiences not only in America but around the world. I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to work with the production teams of the shows and our partners to build upon the considerable success of these hit programmes.?

MUMBAI: European entertainment network RTL Group has appointed C?cile Frot-Coutaz as CEO of television format creator and distribution company FremantleMedia.

Cecile will be based in London and take charge from 1 July 2012.

C?cile, currently FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) CEO, will succeed Tony Cohen who will step down to focus on his non-executive work.

RTL Group co-CEO Guillaume de Posch together with Anke Sch?ferkordt said, "After being with the group for 17 years, C?cile has the vision and leadership that are needed to further grow FremantleMedia. She brings expertise and drive from the largest TV market in the world and combines her creative skills as a producer with a sharp business perspective. I am very happy to welcome her at the helm of RTL Group?s production arm."

Incidentally, Cohen transformed FremantleMedia from a collection of individual entities into a global content power house. Under his leadership, the company has become the pre-eminent producer of the hit prime-time global entertainment formats in dozens of countries, a top distributor and brand licensor, and a rapidly growing force in online and mobile gaming, branded entertainment and kids.

Cohen said, "FremantleMedia?s extraordinary creative and commercial achievements this last decade have been due to the talent and skill of its leadership team and staff, to our great partnerships with major talent and to our shareholder?s unwavering support. I am grateful to them all and to have been part of the company?s amazing journey."

As the FremantleMedia North America CEO, C?cile currentlyoversees the development, production and business operations of over 600 hours of network, cable and syndicated programming. Under her guidance, FMNA currently produces some of the most innovative and successful event entertainment on television, including the multiple Emmy-nominated musical/reality show American Idol on the Fox network. Other titles produced by FMNA are The X Factor (Fox), America?s Got Talent (NBC), Family Feud (syndicated), The Price Is Right (CBS), and the scripted series The Wedding Band.

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia celebrates the entertainment format ?The X Factor?s success as the format reaches 40 territory sales. TV4 in Sweden and Rustavi 2 in Georgia have become the latest broadcasters to acquire the sensational Syco owned format created by Simon Cowell and produced or licensed by FremantleMedia around the world.

?The X Factor? has launched in nine new territories since the beginning of last year alone, including India, Chile, Kazakhstan, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and the USA, where it was Fox?s number one autumn new series launch for five years. This blockbuster ratings-winner has been the number one programme in Denmark for the past five years, with an incredible 40 per cent of the population tuning in. The X Factor is also the number one programme ever for Italy?s Sky Uno and has been the UK?s number one show for the past two years in a row.

FremantleMedia president, worldwide entertainment Trish Kinane said, "The latest sales of The X Factor cement the format?s position as one of the leading entertainment shows of this generation. This blockbuster format has enjoyed immense success all over the world and continues its remarkable track record of re-commissions, topping ratings lists and inspiring audiences in multiple territories worldwide. We?re extremely proud of the creative and commercial strengths across the FremantleMedia network that have seen formats like The X Factor thrive."

Syco Entertainment head of international George Levendis said, "The X Factor continues to build spectacularly season on season, launching in the US in 2011, being the most watched show in the UK and the breakthrough success in Australia and Italy last year. We are thrilled with the on-going progress of The X Factor as we work alongside FremantleMedia to produce and licence the format in many more markets in the future."