Earley’s star rises at Fox amid programming team consolidation

Fox Broadcasting has retooled its programming executive ranks, putting into place a new streamlined structure that entrusts more power to the television network’s chief operating officer, Joe Earley.

The new structure was announced Monday afternoon by Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly, who runs the network’s entertainment division.

As part of the move, program development executives who had previously reported to Reilly now report to Earley.

Earley continues to report to Reilly.

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The restructuring was significant because it combined two departments that previously had worked somewhat independently: program development and current programming. The unit that monitors shows that are on the air is called current programming.

“Combining our development and programming functions allows us to provide more cohesive support to shows -- from inception to finale -- and forge even deeper, more collaborative relationships with the creative community,” Earley said in a statement.

As part of the restructuring, Suzanna Makkos was elevated to executive vice president of comedy development and programming. Makkos previously was senior vice president for comedy development. Earlier in her career she worked at Walt Disney Television\Touchstone Television and Regency Television.

Makkos’ lieutenants will be Lauren Levy Neustadter, who was elevated to senior vice president, and Samata Narra, who was upped to vice president.

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Terence Carter was elevated to executive vice president, in charge of drama development and programming. Carter, a former NBC programming executive, most recently served as senior vice president for drama development.

Carter’s lieutenants will be senior vice presidents Charlie Andrews and James Oh.

Shana C. Waterman, a senior vice president, will continue to be in charge of the network’s “event series” team.

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