• by Wayne Friedman , March 12, 2009

News Corp. announced another major surprising shakeup--now Fox Broadcasting Chairman of Entertainment Peter Liguori is out. This news comes on the heels of the departure of News Corp.'s COO, Peter Chernin.

In the wake of Chernin's departure just days ago, as part of a major restructuring plan, Peter Rice--president of the film specialty division, Fox Searchlight--will be taking Liguori's job, with the title of chairman of Fox Broadcasting. Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly, who had reported to Liguori, will now report to Rice.

Fox Network Group chairman Tony Vinciquerra will move up a notch-- gaining full control of News Corp.'s TV networks business, and taking over responsibility for all Fox Broadcasting programming. Vinciquerra will continue to head the cable networks, the business aspects of Fox Broadcasting, and Fox International Channels. Rice will report to Vinciquerra.

Fox will also place all television production under the wing of Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chairmen, Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman. Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden will report to Mr. Gianopulos and Mr. Rothman.

Much speculation has bounced around regarding the Fox executives who would replace Chernin--who had been with the company for over two decades--including Murdoch's children. It was expected that Vinciquerra would get a promotion in the wake of Chernin's exit.

Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp., who announced these changes, said of Rice:

"[He] is one of our most talented creative executives, having championed such films as 'Slumdog Millionaire,' 'Little Miss Sunshine' and 'Juno' during his tenure at Fox Searchlight... As we increasingly look to apply unconventional approaches to our traditional businesses, I'm convinced Peter Rice is the right person to transform our broadcast television business."

Liguori's reign had seen Fox continue to earn big seasonal ratings wins over all broadcast networks among the key 18-49 demographic-- mostly thanks to "American Idol," which contributes more than 30% of those ratings points. Last year, Liquori was able to add another win, for the first time, in total viewers--a title CBS had owned for the last several seasons.

Gianopulos, Rothman, and Vinciquerra will now report directly to Murdoch. Peter Levinsohn, president of Fox Interactive Media, will also report directly to Murdoch. Roger Ailes, chairman/CEO of FoxNews Channel and Fox Business Network and chairman of the Fox Television Stations and Twentieth Television, will continue to report to Murdoch.