Rice named 21C Fox President
September 7, 2017
21st Century Fox has elevated Fox Networks Group Chairman and CEO Peter Rice to President, 21st Century Fox (21CF).
In addition to working with 21CF leadership on key strategic initiatives, Rice will continue to serve as Chairman and CEO for Fox Networks Group (FNG), a role he has held since 2012. In this capacity, he will continue to oversee Fox Broadcasting Company, FOX Sports, FX Networks, National Geographic, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Networks Group Latin America, Europe and Asia.
“As part of our ongoing work to evolve and expand the 21CF leadership structure, we’re pleased to name Peter to this newly created position,” commented 21st Century Fox Executive Chairman Lachlan Murdoch and CEO James Murdoch. “Peter has driven exceptional growth at Fox Networks Group during a time of real transformational change in the business, expanding our audiences and innovating new distribution models, from which the Company, our shareholders and our customers have benefited greatly. Peter’s impact on the business is immense and we are incredibly fortunate to have him with us in this expanded role during this exciting next chapter of the Company.”
Stacey Snider, Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox Film will continue to report directly to Lachlan and James Murdoch. Fox News Channel will continue to report directly to Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox, and Executive Chairman of Fox News Channel.
At Fox Networks Group, Rice has been instrumental in driving the growth of the Company’s television business across both linear and OTT platforms. He oversaw the expansion of FX into a three-network suite and the launch of FS1 and FS2. He has led several successful digital initiatives, including the company’s participation in Hulu, where he serves on the board, and led the creation of the Digital Consumer Group which is transforming the authenticated streaming apps FOX NOW, FOX Sports GO, FX Now and Nat Geo TV into an integrated experience on a single platform. Under Rice, Fox Networks Group acquired TrueX and combined its separate advertising divisions into a single entity. Additionally, Rice was a key driver in the successful formation of National Geographic Partners, for which he now serves as Chairman of the Board. Jointly with Ms. Snider, he’s led 21CF’s foray into augmented and virtual reality, gaming and location-based entertainment through the Company’s FoxNext division.
Under Rice’s tenure, the Company has produced many critically acclaimed hit TV series such as Empire, Fargo, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, New Girl, This is Us, Glee and Genius. In 2017 FNG received 113 Emmy nominations, an all-time high for the Company.
Prior to his current role, Rice served as Chairman, Entertainment, for FNG and Chairman, Entertainment, for Fox Broadcasting Company, propelling FOX to three seasons as the number one network and helping extend its streak to eight seasons as the top-rated broadcaster.
Before transitioning to Fox’s television business, Rice served as President, Fox Searchlight Pictures. During his tenure, Fox Searchlight generated 51 Academy Award and 42 Golden Globe Award nominations, including a record 12 nominations and eight wins at the 81st Annual Academy Awards for Slumdog Millionaire. Other films released under his leadership include Juno, Napoleon Dynamite, Little Miss Sunshine, The Last King of Scotland, and Sideways.
Prior to leading Fox Searchlight, Rice was Executive Vice President, Production for Twentieth Century Fox, where he worked with director Baz Luhrmann in the development and production of Moulin Rouge and William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. He also served as the supervising creative executive on X-Men, the film that began the global movie franchise that has since grossed more than $4 billion at the worldwide box office.