ABC Chairman Out

[Sarangel]

The chairman of Walt Disney Co.'s struggling ABC network has begun negotiations to leave his post amid a broader restructuring, Hollywood trade paper Daily Variety reported today.

Lloyd Braun, who has at least two years left on his contract, would likely leave ABC by next month, when the TV networks sell the bulk of their advertising spots for the upcoming season during the "upfront" market, the paper said.

His departure would coincide with a move by Disney to place its broadcast and cable properties under one person, likely to be Anne Sweeney, president of the ABC Cable Networks Group, Daily Variety said. Sweeney, an eight-year Disney veteran, oversees the nonsports cable operations, such as Disney Channel, Toon Disney and ABC Family.

Daily Variety said Sweeney's ascension could also lead to the departure or reassignment of ABC Television Network President Alex Wallau, who currently oversees many of the divisions that could soon be part of her portfolio.

Braun, a lawyer who lent his name to a psychotic character on several episodes of Seinfeld, joined ABC in 1999 and was elevated to chairman in 2002.

For the full story, Click Here

 

[raidermatt]

Another article:

NY Times


Disney Is Said to Be Considering a Managerial Shake-Up at ABC
By BILL CARTER

Published: April 6, 2004


he Walt Disney Company is considering a broad overhaul of its ABC television network in the wake of another year of lackluster ratings and is holding discussions with some executives about changing their roles, several executives said last night.

Though no decisions have been made, Disney is looking to give new duties to Anne Sweeney, president of ABC's cable division, according to the executives. The plan could give Ms. Sweeney the added title of president of the network as she retained control of the cable channels, which include the Disney Channel, the Family Channel and Soap Net.

Ms. Sweeney's elevation to the chief managerial job at ABC would mean a change of responsibility for its current president, Alex Wallau.

In addition, Disney is discussing changes in the management of the network's entertainment division, which has struggled to find hit prime-time shows over the last several years. It was unclear last night what those changes would mean for the future of executives who head that division: Lloyd Braun, the chairman, and Susan Lyne, the president.

Ms. Sweeney is highly regarded at Disney for her work in running the cable division. She is credited with upgrading the Disney Channel from a purely children's channel to one that has also found fans among teenage and preteenage girls.

Disney's most successful channel has been ESPN, and two Hollywood trade publications, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, reported yesterday that a top ESPN executive, Mark Shapiro, is being considered for a role in ABC's entertainment division. Disney executives would not comment on Mr. Shapiro's status.

The discussions about ABC are taking place in advance of a corporate retreat of the Disney board, which is set for later this month. The company's top management, including the chairman, Michael D. Eisner, has been buffeted by shareholder criticism. Last month, just under half withheld votes to signal a lack of support for Mr. Eisner's leadership.

 

[meowthew2]

If everything pans out as is being reported, this is very exciting news with potentially huge ramifications. If there is anyone who can turn ABC around, Anne Sweeney is the person.

 

[Buzz2001]

Lloyd Braun

Isn't he the guy that goes crazy on Seinfeld? oops, gues I should have read the whole article first.