Ovitz Moves Into TV, Hires Columbia Exec

Michael Ovitz, the super-agent who was formerly president of Walt Disney Co., is moving his talent management firm into television production.

Eric Tannenbaum, the president of Sony Corp.’s Columbia TriStar Television, is joining Ovitz’s new agency, AMG Entertainment, as a partner and will be president of Artists Television Group, a newly formed TV studio.

Ovitz, who formed AMG last year, is trying to build an integrated media company using his clients to branch into movies and television. He also has invested personally in Internet ventures and is involved in bringing a National Football League team to Los Angeles.

AMG has signed such stars as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Martin Scorsese.

Tannenbaum, who has been in Sony’s television group since 1991, has eight new shows on the networks’ fall prime-time schedule. The hits developed on his watch include “Mad About You.”

Helene Michaels, an executive vice president at Columbia TriStar Television since 1996, has moved up to president of network production for the group. Ted Harbert, a DreamWorks producer and former ABC Entertainment president, is expected to replace Tannenbaum.

In exchange for releasing Tannenbaum from his contract, Columbia will distribute Artists Television Group’s prime-time programs.