Rob Wade Tapped as CEO of Fox Entertainment

He replaces Charlie Collier, who announced a surprise exit to join Roku last month

Rob Wade
Rob Wade President, Alternative Entertainment and Specials FOX Entertainment ©2018 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Joe Viles/FOX

Rob Wade has been tapped as the chief executive officer of Fox Entertainment, Lachlan Murdoch, executive chair and CEO of Fox Corporation announced today. He replaces Charlie Collier, who announced his surprise exit to join Roku last month.

Wade most recently served as president of alternative entertainment and specials at the company, where he oversaw the network’s unscripted content and development slate.

“Since the formation of FOX Entertainment, Rob has been an integral part of the leadership team responsible for delivering on its long-term strategy of creating an independent media company built on broadcast, developing an owned content portfolio and maintaining a disciplined in-house infrastructure,” Murdoch said in a statement. “Given Rob’s sharp creative instincts and proven operational acumen, he is well-suited to lead FOX Entertainment in what promises to be an exciting next chapter in its rich history.”

Fox Entertainment includes an expanding portfolio of content studios, including animation house Bento Box Entertainment, TMZ, MarVista Entertainment and Studio Ramsay Global. It also houses unscripted studio Fox Alternative Entertainment, scripted content creator Fox Entertainment Studios, Blockchain Creative Labs and the worldwide content sales unit Fox Entertainment Global.

“I am honored to be entrusted with leading FOX Entertainment into the future with an exceptionally talented team, whom I know very well, as we build and expand on FOX’s legacy of storytelling excellence, entrepreneurial energy and innovation,” Wade added. “It’s a transformative time across the global entertainment landscape, presenting limitless opportunity and, above all, creativity, making the outlook ahead bright and exhilarating.”

Wade’s tenure included the successful launch of reality competition show “The Masked Singer,” as well as programs “Crime Scene Kitchen,” “LEGO Masters” and “Next Level Chef.”

Prior to joining Fox, Wade was the showrunner of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and was the head of Entertainment Development at BBC Worldwide. He was also an executive producer on Fox’s “The X Factor” and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”

Two weeks ago, Collier announced his move to head Roku Media beginning this month. He had joined Fox in 2018.

Deadline first reported the news.

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