Jim Henson Television Names New President

Rod Perth, formerly president of entertainment for USA Networks, was named president of Jim Henson Television Group Worldwide, a division of Jim Henson Co. Perth is credited with expanding USA’s original programming, overseeing the highly rated miniseries “Moby Dick” and one the network’s star series, “La Femme Nikita.” He left USA in July in a management shake-up after Barry Diller assumed control of the network and other television assets in a transaction with Seagram Co. Perth, who joined USA after a long career in programming and station operation at CBS, says he will help grow the company by exploiting the worldwide name recognition that stems from its creation of the Muppets. He will target network, cable and syndicated television as well as the Internet. He also will have oversight of Henson’s cable interests, including the partnership with Hallmark Entertainment in the Odyssey channel, and the Kermit channels internationally.