New Chief For Fox Tv Entertainment

Roth, 45, and the fifth president at Fox's entertainment group in seven years, takes on the task of driving the network up the rankings to challenge the established big three--NBC, ABC and CBS.

Fox has grown quickly under pressure from Rupert Murdoch, News Corp chairman, and finished the 1994-95 TV season in fourth place after apparently winning market share from ABC and CBS. It is especially popular in the mass market, performs well in the 18-49 age group, and its programmes for women and children are often highly rated.

Analysts, however, say it needs broader appeal if it is to join the elite of US television. One indication of Murdoch's strategy came in July when David Hill was elevated to president of Fox Broadcasting from his previous job as head of sports.

 

Roth, responsible for successes such as The X-Files and The Simpsons, will report directly to Hill, whereas Matoian reported one level higher, to Chase Carey, chairman of Fox Television.

Hill's promotion followed his successful, if expensive intervention in the bidding for rights to broadcast major league football.

On top of this $1.6 billion commitment, Fox has spent an estimated $500 million on persuading 10 television stations to switch their allegiance from CBS to Fox.

This summer News Corp took control of New World Entertainment in a $2.4 billion deal which gave Fox control of 10 big city broadcast stations.

Financial Times

Matoian's resignation was preceded as usual by persistent rumours.

It is, however, believed he chose to go because he was uncertain of his place in the changing chain of command.

Increased direct intervention by Hill in the entertainment arm and changes made during an absence due to illness in his family are also believed to have undermined Matoian's morale.