Peter Rice (executive)

Peter Rice (born 1966) is a British media executive. He is the former Chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content for The Walt Disney Company and former President of 21st Century Fox, where he worked from 1989-2019.[1]

Peter Rice
Born1966 (age 56–57)
United Kingdom
Alma materUniversity of Nottingham
OccupationEntertainment executive

Early life

Rice was born in the United Kingdom in 1966 and raised in Britain.[2] He earned a degree from the University of Nottingham in 1989.[2]

Career

Head of Disney Television

Rice joined The Walt Disney Company following its purchase of many of the assets of 21st Century Fox,[3][4] where Rice was President and began working in 1989.[5] Upon joining, Rice became the Chairman of Walt Disney Television (all of Disney's non-sports television businesses).[6][3][4] In this role, Rice oversaw ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Disney Television Studios, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic, and Onyx Collective.[7][8]

As Chairman of Walt Disney Television, Rice oversaw the production of over 300 shows and 4,000 hours of television per year across Disney’s family of networks and streaming platforms Disney+ and Hulu.[9] Among the programs overseen by Rice were such titles as Abbott Elementary, American Idol, The Bachelor, The Dropout, Good Morning America, Grey’s Anatomy, Only Murders in the Building, Pam and Tommy, The Simpsons, and This Is Us, as well as Academy Award-winning documentaries Free Solo and Summer of Soul. Disney earned 147 Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 2022 and 146 in 2021.[10][11]

While with Disney, Rice served as Chairman of the Board of A&E Networks and continued to serve as Chairman of the Board of National Geographic Partners.[12]

On June 9, 2022, Rice was fired from The Walt Disney Company.[13]

Fox Television

Rice was appointed President of 21st Century Fox in 2017.[14][15] In addition to working on strategic initiatives at 21st Century Fox, Rice continued to serve as Chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group, which included all of Fox’s TV assets, with the exception of Fox News, which was run separately.[16] He was also the Chairman of the Board of National Geographic Partners and Fox's lead executive on the Board of Directors for Hulu.[17][18][19]

During Rice’s time leading Fox Television, the company broadcast or produced major titles including 24, American Horror Story, Atlanta, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Glee, House, MasterChef, Modern Family, New Girl, What We Do in the Shadows, and The X Factor.

Rice became Chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group in 2012, supervising Fox Broadcasting Company, 20th Century Fox Television, FX Networks, Fox Sports (encompassing Fox’s national sports channels, FS1 and FS2 and its 22 regional sports networks) and National Geographic Partners (which includes the National Geographic channels and brands).[20][21]

In 2016, Fox Networks Group received 144 Primetime and Sports Emmy nominations. Fox Sports, which broadcast the Super Bowl, World Series, and Daytona 500 during Rice’s tenure, won 10 Sports Emmy Awards, the most of any network group and FS1 earned eight awards, the most of any network.[22][23][24][25][26] Fox received 103 Primetime Emmy nominations spanning FX, Fox, National Geographic Channel and shows from 20th Century Fox Television and Fox 21 Television Studios, and won 27 Primetime Emmy Awards. FX earned 56 nominations, setting a new record for nominations by a basic cable network, surpassing its own previous record of 45 set in 2014.[27] The People v. O.J. Simpson earned 22 nominations and Fargo received 18, the second and third highest total number of nominations of any show that year.[28][29] In 2017, under Rice’s leadership, Fox Networks Group received 153 Primetime and Sports Emmy nominations, and won a collective 26 Emmys.[30]

Previously, Rice served as Chairman of Entertainment of Fox Networks Group. During that time, Fox achieved three seasons as the number one network, extending its run on top to eight consecutive years, and launching Bob's Burgers, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Glee, New Girl, and The X Factor.[31] Earlier, Rice served as Chairman of Entertainment of Fox Broadcasting Company. He replaced Peter Liguori and reported to then Fox Networks Group Chairman Tony Vinciquerra.[32]

Fox Filmed Entertainment

Prior to his roles in Fox's television business, Rice was President for Fox Searchlight Pictures.[33] He began his tenure there in 2000, during which time he released some of Fox Searchlight’s highest-grossing films, including Juno, The Last King of Scotland, Bend It Like Beckham, Little Miss Sunshine, Sideways and Napoleon Dynamite.[16][34] With Rice at the helm, Fox Searchlight received 51 Academy Award and 42 Golden Globe Award nominations, including 12 nominations[35] and eight wins[36] for Slumdog Millionaire at the 81st Academy Awards.

From 2007 to 2008, Rice also oversaw Fox Atomic, which created comedy and genre films, including Turistas and 28 Weeks Later. Fox Atomic was closed in 2009, after Rice moved to Fox's television business.[37][38]

Rice began his career at Twentieth Century Fox in 1989, working for Tom Sherak, then head of U.S. distribution and marketing for Fox Filmed Entertainment.[39] His roles included Director of Acquisitions, Vice President of Production and Senior Vice President, and in 1998, Rice was named Executive Vice President of Production for Twentieth Century Fox.[16]

Rice had working relationships with many prominent filmmakers, including Danny Boyle, Baz Luhrmann, Alex Proyas and the Hughes brothers. Rice worked as a creative executive on Boyle's A Life Less Ordinary and oversaw the director's The Beach. Rice worked with Luhrmann in the development and production of his films, Moulin Rouge! (which would be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture)[40] and Romeo + Juliet. Rice was the supervising creative executive on X-Men, which started the movie franchise that would go on to gross more than $4.3 billion at the global box office.[41] He also worked on films Independence Day and Alien Resurrection.[42]

Accolades and recognition

Rice has been ranked on entertainment industry power lists by outlets including Entertainment Weekly,[43][44] The Hollywood Reporter,[45] and Variety.[46] He was ranked in the top 10 in each of the three most recent editions of The Hollywood Reporter 100, which ranks the most powerful people in entertainment.[47][48][49]

He was included on the Variety500, which indexes the industry’s most influential figures, every year from 2017 to 2021.[50] Variety has also named Rice one the industry’s most prominent dealmakers, and in 2017, he served as the keynote speaker for the outlet’s annual Dealmakers event.[51][52]

Entertainment Weekly placed Rice in the top ten of its list of the Smartest People in Hollywood.[53][54][55]

Personal life

Rice lives in Los Angeles with his family. He serves on the Board of Directors of Southern California Public Radio[56] and the Board of Governors of the Motion Picture & Television Fund.[57]

References
  1. Wyatt, Edward (7 April 2009). "Fox's Low-Key New Boss Is Looking Beyond 'Idol'". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  2. "Inside Hollywood with Peter Rice".
  3. "Members Hub". 30 October 2019.
  4. "Disney Completes Its $71.3 Billion Purchase of Fox, Massively Transforming the Industry".
  5. Koblin, John (10 October 2018). "Peter Rice, Fox's Un-Hollywood TV Boss, Is Getting More Say Over What You Watch". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  6. "The Walt Disney Company Announces New Organizational Structure for its Media Networks Business, Conditional Upon Closing of 21st Century Fox Acquisition". The Walt Disney Company. October 8, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  7. Faughnder, Ryan (18 October 2018). "After 30 years in Murdoch's empire, Peter Rice faces new challenges in Disney's kingdom". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  8. Koblin, John (8 October 2018). "Disney's TV Division Makes Room for Fox Executives". Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  9. Koblin, John (8 October 2018). "Disney's TV Division Makes Room for Fox Executives". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  10. "The Walt Disney Company Gets 147 Primetime Emmy® Award Nominations in 2022!". ABC.com. ABC.com. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  11. Goldberg, Lesley (13 July 2021). "Emmys: Disney Leads All Combined Nominations as HBO (Thanks to HBO Max) Tops Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  12. "Peter Rice Chairman, Walt Disney Television, and Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks The Walt Disney Company" (PDF). The Walt Disney Company. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  13. Barnes, Brooks; Koblin, John (2022-06-09). "Disney fires Peter Rice, its top TV content executive". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  14. Ng, David (6 September 2017). "21st Century Fox promotes Peter Rice to president". Los Angeles Times.
  15. Flint, Joe (6 September 2017). "Peter Rice Promoted to President at 21st Century Fox". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  16. "Peter Rice Elevated to Head of Fox Networks Group". The Hollywood Reporter.
  17. Hipes, Patrick (6 September 2017). "Peter Rice Promoted to President Of 21st Century Fox". Deadline Hollywood.
  18. Maglio, Tony (6 September 2017). "Peter Rice Promoted to 21st Century Fox President". TheWrap.
  19. Frommer, Dan (12 February 2018). "Fox didn't overpay for its new NFL rights, says Fox exec Peter Rice". Vox. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  20. Szalai, George (March 26, 2014). "Fox Networks Group CEO Peter Rice Gets Contract Extension". The Hollywood Reporter.
  21. Crupi, Anthony (July 23, 2012). "Peter Rice Named Head of Fox Networks Group". Adweek.
  22. "Fox trumps ESPN, NBC: Winners & Losers at the Sports Emmys". 11 May 2016.
  23. "FOX Sports Earns Ten Sports Emmy Awards". 11 May 2016.
  24. "World Series is off to strong start for Fox but NFL still scores ratings touchdown". Los Angeles Times. City News Service. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  25. Mickle, Tripp (15 October 2012). "NASCAR rides hot rights market to increase with Fox". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  26. "SUPER BOWL LIV ON FOX DRAWS VIEWERSHIP OF MORE THAN 102 MILLION ACROSS TELEVISION AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS". NFL Communications. NFL. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  27. "FX Broke Own Record for Most Emmy Nominations". 15 July 2016.
  28. "Emmy Awards 2016 nominations by the numbers". CBS News.
  29. "'The People v. O.J. Simpson' Scores Big in Emmy Nominations, Just Shy of 'Game of Thrones'". Variety.
  30. Chow, Andrew R. (September 17, 2017). "Emmys 2017 Winners List". The New York Times.
  31. "2011-12 Season Network Rankings: Fox Still On Top But Down, NBC In Third, CW Falls". Deadline Hollywood.
  32. "Fox Overhauls the Leadership of Its Entertainment Divisions". The New York Times.
  33. Ricj, Joshua (March 12, 2009). "Fox Broadcasting executive shakeup: Peter Ligouri out, Peter Rice in". Entertainment Weekly.
  34. James, Meg (26 March 2014). "Fox TV chief and Murdoch favorite Peter Rice extends contract". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  35. "Complete List of Nominations for 81st Academy Awards". E News.
  36. "A 'Slumdog' Kind of Night at the Oscar Ceremony". The New York Times.
  37. "Fox shutting down youth-focused film unit". Reuters.
  38. Andreeva, Nellie (12 March 2009). "Trio replaces Chernin at News Corp". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  39. "Fox's Peter Rice Recalls How He Learned the Biz From Tom Sherak". Yahoo Movies.
  40. "Oscar Vault Monday – Moulin Rouge!, 2001 (dir. Baz Luhrmann)". 31 December 2012.
  41. "X-Men Franchise Box Office History - The Numbers".
  42. "Fox shakes up executive roles". Variety.
  43. "Power List 2002: The complete Executives list". Entertainment Weekly. 10 October 2002. Retrieved 10 October 2002.
  44. "Power List 2003: Executives list". Entertainment Weekly. 17 October 2003. Retrieved 17 October 2003.
  45. Brower, Allison (16 October 2019). "The Hollywood Reporter 100: The Most Powerful People in Entertainment 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  46. "Peter Rice". Variety.
  47. Brower, Allison (6 June 2017). "The THR 100: Hollywood Reporter's Most Powerful People in Entertainment". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  48. Brower, Allison (9 September 2018). "The Hollywood Reporter 100: The Most Powerful People in Entertainment 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  49. Brower, Allison (16 October 2019). "The Hollywood Reporter 100: The Most Powerful People in Entertainment 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  50. "Peter Rice". Variety.
  51. Caranicas, Peter (8 December 2021). "Variety's Dealmakers Impact Report 2021: Top Negotiators Behind Mega Deals". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  52. Fernandez, Matt (5 December 2017). "Fox TV Chief Peter Rice to Keynote Variety's Dealmakers Breakfast". Variety. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  53. Smith, Sean (28 November 2007). "The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  54. Caranicas, Peter (8 December 2021). "Variety's Dealmakers Impact Report 2021: Top Negotiators Behind Mega Deals". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  55. Fernandez, Matt (5 December 2017). "Fox TV Chief Peter Rice to Keynote Variety's Dealmakers Breakfast". Variety. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  56. "KPCC Board of Trustees". KPCC.
  57. "MPTF Foundation Board of Governors". Motion Picture & Television Fund. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.