20th Television

20th Television[1] (formerly 20th Century Fox Television) is an American television production company owned by Walt Disney Television, a unit of the Disney General Entertainment Content division of The Walt Disney Company.[2] The original 20th Television was the syndication and distribution arm of 20th Century Fox Television.

20th Television
Formerly
  • TCF Television Productions, Inc. (1949–1958)
  • 20th Century Fox Television (1958–1989; 1994–2020)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryTelevision production
Founded1949 (1949)
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
Key people
Karey Burke, President
ProductsTelevision programs
ParentWalt Disney Television
(Disney General Entertainment Content)
Websitewww.20thtv.com

It was part of The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of the majority of 21st Century Fox's assets.[3] Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox was completed on March 20, 2019.[4]

History

20th Century Fox Television was originally formed in 1949 by 20th Century Fox as other studios were branching out into television production as well. At that time, the company was known as TCF Television Productions, Inc. until 1958. Decades later, TCFTV folded the operations of TV production companies it has acquired: Metromedia Producers Corporation in 1986, New World Entertainment in 1997, and MTM Enterprises in 1998, and is the current distributor (via its distribution division, the original 20th Television) for most of the shows originally produced by these companies.

From 1986 to 2019, 20th Century Fox Television served as the Fox television network's official production arm (with Fox Television Studios being viewed as the network's unofficial television production division), producing the bulk of television series airing on the television network. TCFTV produced the first two series that aired on Fox's sister network, MyNetworkTV: the telenovelas Desire and Fashion House.

In 1989, 20th Century Fox Television's functions were taken over by Twentieth Television Corporation, a separate entity from 20th Century Fox. Both companies were subsidiaries of News Corporation unit Fox Inc.; the move was made to separate the television productions from the movie studio in order to increase the latter's output.[5] Following a 1994 restructuring of Fox's television production companies, 20th Television was refocused on syndication and "non-traditional programs", while network television programming once more came under the 20th Century Fox Television banner and returned to being a division of the movie studio.[6] In 1997, MTM Enterprises became part of 20th Century Fox Television, and thus remains an in-name only division of TCFTV. In 2012, 20th Century Fox Television was reorganized as a separate unit of News Corporation; 20th Century Fox Television chairs Dana Walden and Gary Newman reported to Chase Carey, COO of 21st Century Fox.[7]

In July 2014, it was announced that the operations of the Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox Television would merge into a new unit, the Fox Television Group, which was overseen by Walden and Newman.[8] In early 2015, Mythology Entertainment signed a first look deal with the company and fellow company Fox 21 Television Studios while announcing its TV division head.[9]

20th Television distribution arm

The original incarnation of 20th Television was the television distribution arm of 20th Century Fox Television and the 20th Century Fox movie studio. It was formed in 1989 in order to separate television production from the 20th Century Fox division which oversaw film production.[5] During this time, 20th Television and 20th Century Fox served as two of Fox's four main units, along with the Fox Broadcasting Company and Fox Television Stations.[10] Following a 1994 restructuring of Fox's television production companies, 20th Television was refocused on syndication and "non-traditional programs"; its network television division was moved back to 20th Century Fox and retook the 20th Century Fox Television name.[6]

20th Television distributes almost all programming and documentaries from the television production unit including Foxstar Productions and its subsidiaries and the motion picture studio's output (and their own subdivisions). It owns programming from other production companies and studios they have acquired, including MTM Enterprises, most by Metromedia Producers Corporation, and most by New World Entertainment (including those by Four Star Television and Genesis Entertainment).

The company also syndicates and/or co-syndicates product from partners such as Regency Television and Debmar-Mercury (until April 2019).[11][12] The Lincolnwood Drive subsidiary of 20th Television has been used to produce the syndicated court series Divorce Court since the 2014-15 season, mainly for tax reasons.

In 1992, Greg Meidel became president of 20th Television, serving until 1995. Meidel was president of MyNetworkTV when he add 20th Television's same position to his responsibility in 2009.[13]

As part of the restructuring that stemmed from News Corporation spinning off its entertainment assets into 21st Century Fox, it was announced on July 8, 2013, that 20th Television will operate under the management of 20th Century Fox Television; it was previously under Fox Television Stations. As a result, the former company's president reported to the latter's chairmen.[14]

Under Disney Television Studios

In March 2019, both 20th Century Fox Television and 20th Television were acquired by the Walt Disney Company and integrated into Walt Disney Television as part of Disney Television Studios.[15] As a result, Newman departed and Walden was made head of Disney programming.[16][17] Jonnie Davis and Howard Kurtzman, who previously held high ranking positions with the Fox Television Group,[18][19] became the co-heads of 20th Century Fox Television.[20] In July 2019, Disney promoted Davis to the position of President of ABC Studios.[21] Carolyn Cassidy succeeded Davis as President of Creative Affairs at 20th Century Fox Television, running the studio jointly with Kurtzman.[22] In January 2020, Kurtzman announced that he would retire by June 2020. CBS Television Studios executive Dan Kupetz has been named the new executive vice president of business affairs and operations and will be joining 20th TV in March 2020. He is reporting to Cassidy, who assumes solo leadership and work closely with Kurtzman until he departs.[23][24]

The company signed in 2019 a four-year overall deal with Liz Meriwether, co-creator of Bless This Mess. This was followed by a production deal with Lake Bell Productions in February 2020.[25]

On August 10, 2020, 20th Century Fox Television was shortened to 20th Television (the former name of its syndication arm, which in turn was absorbed into Disney-ABC Domestic Television), as part of Disney Television Studios reorganization, as well as part of a merger requirement to drop the word "Fox" from the acquired assets to avoid brand confusion.[26] On December 1, 2020, Disney announced that the Touchstone Television label would be folded into 20th Television.[27]

Productions
Main article: List of 20th Television programs

Notable shows produced by 20th Television include Batman, M*A*S*H, Glee, How I Met Your Mother, Bones, Bob's Burgers, Empire, Family Guy, 24, Modern Family, This Is Us, American Dad!, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, New Girl, American Horror Story, The X-Files, Reba, In Living Color, The Bernie Mac Show, King of the Hill, Futurama, Malcolm in the Middle, Bless the Harts, Duncanville, The Cleveland Show, Ally McBeal, Last Man Standing, and The Simpsons.

See also

References
  1. Low, Elaine (August 10, 2020). "Disney Rebrands TV Studios, 20th Century Fox TV to Become 20th Television". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. Andreeva, Nellie (October 8, 2018). "Disney Unveils Top TV Executive Structure Post Fox Acquisition: Peter Rice, Dana Walden, John Landgraf, Gary Knell Joining". Deadline. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  3. "The Walt Disney Company to Acquire Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., After Spinoff of Certain Businesses, for $52.4 Billion in Stock". The Walt Disney Company (Press release). December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  4. "Disney and 21st Century Fox Announce per Share Value in Connection with $71 Billion Acquisition". The Walt Disney Company. March 20, 2019.
  5. Horn, John (July 12, 1989). "20th Century Fox Restructures Film, Television Units". Associated Press. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  6. "2 Named to Executive Posts in Fox TV Restructuring". Los Angeles Times. December 5, 1994. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  7. Finke, Nikki; Mike Fleming, Jr. (September 14, 2012). "SHOCKER! FOX SHAKEUP: Tom Rothman Exiting 20th Film Group; Jim Gianopulos Becomes Sole Chairman/CEO; 20th TV's Dana Walden & Gary Newman Now Report To News Corp #2 Chase Carey". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  8. Steel, Emily (July 14, 2014). "21st Century Fox Melds Its Television Broadcasting and Studio Units". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  9. Reilly, Travis (March 12, 2015). "Mythology Entertainment Signs First Look Deal With Fox TV". The Wrap. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  10. Harmetz, Aljean; Special to The New York Times (July 13, 1989). "A Revamping of Fox Film Puts Emphasis on Movies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  11. "'Feud', 'Dead Zone' Both Clear 85% of Country". TV News Check. January 11, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  12. Guider, Elizabeth (January 11, 2007). "'Dead Zone' headed to syndication". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  13. Andreeva, Nellie (May 30, 2019). "Greg Meidel Joins Judge Judy Sheindlin's Company Queen Bee Productions". Deadline. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  14. "21st Century Fox Realigns TV Syndication, Distribution Biz Under 20th Century Fox TV". Deadline Hollywood. July 8, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  15. "Lachlan Murdoch takes control of Fox Corp. But how will he deal with President Trump?". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  16. Andreeva, Nellie (October 19, 2018). "AMC's Charlie Collier To Lead Fox Broadcasting Network, Gary Newman To Depart". Deadline.
  17. "Dana Walden Goes It Alone: Disney TV Strategy, Netflix "Growing Pains" and Why "Volume Is the Enemy"". The Hollywood Reporter.
  18. Lafayette, Jon (June 1, 2018). "Scully Signs Overall Deal With 20th Century Fox TV". NextTV. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  19. "20th Century Fox Television Ups Howard Kurtzman & Mark Pearson". Deadline. January 29, 2014.
  20. "Ahead of Disney-Fox TV Layoffs, Dana Walden Rallies Staff in Memo". The Hollywood Reporter.
  21. James, Meg. "Jonnie Davis becomes president of ABC Studios, replacing Disney veteran Patrick Moran". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  22. Low, Elaine (July 10, 2019). "Jonnie Davis to Head ABC Studios, Patrick Moran Out, as Disney TV Studios Restructures". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  23. Goldberg, Lesley (January 7, 2020). "Howard Kurtzman Sets Retirement as Carolyn Cassidy Named Lone 20th TV President". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  24. Porter, Rick (January 13, 2020). "Dan Kupetz to Head Business Affairs at Disney's 20th TV". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  25. Thorne, Will (February 24, 2020). "Lake Bell Inks Pod Deal With 20th Century Fox TV". Variety. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  26. Andreeva, Nellie (August 10, 2020). "Disney Television Studios Rebrands Its Three Units As 20th Television, ABC Signature & Touchstone Television". Deadline Hollywood.
  27. Holloway, Daniel (December 1, 2020). "Dana Walden Reorganizes Disney TV Team; Karey Burke Moves to 20th as Craig Erwich Adds ABC Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
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