Michael Riley Leaving ABC Family
ABC Family president Michael Riley will is leaving his post, the network announced Friday.
Riley, who has overseen the day-to-day operations of the millennial-targeted network for nearly three years, will look to explore new TV and content opportunities internationally, according to the network. Riley will remain at the network during the search for his replacement.
“Michael has been a great leader over the past six years at Radio Disney and ABC Family, and his contributions will be felt for years to come,” said Disney Media Networks co-chairman and Disney/ABC Television Group president Anne Sweeney in a statement. “While we understand and support his decision to leave, it will be sad to see him go. We wish him the best of luck on his next adventure.”
While at ABC Family, Riley oversaw the network’s ascension to cable’s top primetime network among women 18-34 with such hits as Pretty Little Liars, The Fosters,Switched at Birth and Twisted.Riley joined The Walt Disney Company in 2008 as senior vice president and general manager for Radio Disney, where he oversaw the Radio Disney network and its portfolio of 36 owned radio stations.
Prior to that, Riley was senior vice president and general manager for Turner Broadcasting System representing Europe, Middle East and Africa.
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R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.