No leadership changes or dismissals are expected to come with the movements.
Not surprisingly, Disney is rebranding its TV studios to remove the Fox name from two of them.
About a year and a half after the takeover of 20th Century Fox Television and Fox 21 TV Studios, Disney changed the former to just 20th Television, while becoming the last Touchstone Television. In addition, ABC Studios and its subsidiary ABC Signature Studios merged into one unit that will now be called ABC Signature. The full integration of Disney Television Studios’ rebranding is effective immediately, with new logos and motion-end maps that viewers will see on screen expected to be completed by the end of the year. No executive changes or redundancies are expected as part of the changes.
The decision to remove “Fox” from two of the studios’ names was part of the larger $ 71.3 billion deal between Disney and 21st Century Fox. Fox was fired in January from film divisions 20th Century Studios and Searchlight.
“Our new studio names and logos mark a new day for ABC Signature, 20th Television and Touchstone Television, while honoring the rich history and creative power of Walt Disney Co. Dana [Walden] and I could not be happier with the first year of our three studios together as part of Disney Television Studios and we believe that with our powerhouse talent comforter and exceptional studio teams, the best is yet to come, ”said Disney TV Studios president Craig Hunegs.
The Touchstone banner was retired in 2007 and returned as ABC TV Studios as part of Disney’s then-push to lend in its signature addition. Touchstone refund is a way to honor the past.
The new ABC Signature will be reviewed by President Jonnie Davis. Tracy Underwood, who added ABC Studios to her show at ABC Signature, will continue to report to Davis. Mixing the two divisions was considered a logical progression after Davis expanded Underwood’s role to include both units. ABC Signature Studios was previously the cable and streaming arm of ABC Studios. With streaming a priority for every studio, mixing the two units makes sense.
Touchstone TV will be overseen by Fox Sal’s Bert Salke. Carolyn Cassidy will continue to lead 20th television.
