AMC’s Charlie Collier to Become Entertainment CEO of ‘New Fox’

AMC’s Charlie Collier will run entertainment for “New Fox” following the close of 21st Century Fox’s sale of film and TV assets to Disney.

Collier’s title will be CEO of entertainment. He had previously served as president and general manager for AMC Networks, presiding over AMC’s reinvention into a scripted drama powerhouse on the strength of Emmy darlings like “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” and the striking ratings of “The Walking Dead.”

“Charlie is a singular talent, combining creative success with operational expertise to lead the AMC Network with some of television’s most memorable programming,” said “New Fox” CEO Lachlan Murdoch.  “Charlie’s skills and experience will help Fox continue to transform the broadcast television business.”

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Following the close of the deal, which is expected sometime early next year, Gary Newman will leave the company. Newman, along with Dana Walden, had served as chairmen and CEOs of the Fox Television Group. Walden is moving over to Disney to lead Disney-ABC’s TV networks and studio. Walden and Newman will remain in their current roles with Fox until the close of the deal. Collier will begin to transition into his new role Nov. 1.

“I am incredibly gratified by the accomplishments, relationships and legacy we created during my time with the Fox family,” said Newman in a statement. “Charlie is a longtime friend and colleague and he will be inheriting a team of passionate and incredibly talented executives.  This accelerated transition allows me to pursue new opportunities on my own timeline with the comfort I am leaving the network in capable hands.”

Per an insider with knowledge of the situation, it was always the plan for Newman to remain with Fox through the duration of the current broadcast TV season. Though there had been some conversations about Newman potentially staying on board, the company had been looking for a permanent entertainment CEO. Once they found Collier, they decided to make the announcement now.

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The hire also signals that Fox, despite losing its sister studio 20th Century Fox in the deal to Disney, will remain a major player in the scripted business. The company has made live sports a major part of its programming strategy, with its “Thursday Night Football” deal and its upcoming WWE deal for “Smackdown Live.”

Collier has previously held roles with Oxygen and A&E Networks.

“I can’t imagine a more exciting next step than this new role at Fox, which combines the power and reach of a broadcast division, some of the best live assets on the planet from which to build entertainment audiences and fan engagement, and a proven leadership team with a ‘make new rules’ start-up mentality,” said Collier. “I’m proud of my last decade-plus at AMC Networks as the combination of a remarkable team and world-class talent led a transformation of AMCN into both a thriving global entertainment company and a premier original programmer.”

AMC Networks, meanwhile, will continue to be led by CEO Josh Sapan and COO Ed Carroll. David Madden also joined last year as president of programming for AMC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios. The company is looking for a permanent replacement for Collier.

“Charlie Collier is a stellar executive and leader. This is a great opportunity for him and we know he will make an enormous contribution to this new venture,” said Carroll. “We will miss him and are so thankful for his many achievements here over the past decade, helping to build AMC into a powerful brand and force in original programming, and to build AMC Studios into a robust entity producing outstanding content across our portfolio of national networks. We wish him great success.”