Fox Broadcasting Company has named Rob Wade its new president of alternative entertainment and specials, the network announced Monday.
Reporting to Fox Television Group chairmen and CEOs Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Wade will oversee the network’s unscripted programming, specials and alternative development slate. He will join the network in March.
“Unscripted programming is one of the true hallmarks of broadcast television. No other platform captures the immediacy and excitement of a big, broad, breakout unscripted hit like broadcast, and we are committed to expanding our efforts in this area beginning today, with Rob,” said Newman and Walden in a statement.
“Rob’s an incredibly well-respected executive and producer with a proven track record working on reality hits,” they continued. “He’s also a creator himself, which makes him the perfect person to lead this charge. We’re confident Rob has the creative vision to shape this area in the same way we’ve shaped the scripted side at the studio through our partnerships with some of the best talent in the business.”
Over the last 20 years, Wade has specialized in live, music, variety and reality programming. He most recently served as the showrunner on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” and was the head of entertainment development at BBC Worldwide.
“Fox has always been a pioneer in unscripted television, delivering its boldest and most innovative hits,” said Wade. “I am thrilled to be given the chance to work with the best talent in the business and hope I can add to that legacy.”
Wade was executive producer on Fox’s “The X Factor” and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and was head of TV at SyCo Entertainment North America. In addition to “Dancing with the Stars,” he has worked on a broad spectrum of successful series, including “Grease: You’re the One that I Want,” “Big Brother,” “Dog Eat Dog” and “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.” He has also developed shows and pilots for NBC, FOX, ITV, Univision, MTV, VH1, Channel 4 and the BBC.