Rich Battista Rejoins Fox Networks Group as President, Fox National Cable Networks

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Fox executive Rich Battista has rejoined the company as President, Fox National Cable Networks, it was announced today by Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and CEO, Fox Networks Group, to whom he will report.

“We’ve been looking for the right opportunity for Rich to re-join our team ever since the Gemstar sale earlier this year”

In this newly created position, Mr. Battista will be responsible for oversight of the company’s national cable programming services, including FX, National Geographic Channel, Fox Movie Channel, Fox Reality Channel, FUEL TV, SPEED, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox College Sports, Fox Sports en Español, the Big Ten Network (co-venture with the Big Ten Conference) and Fox Cable Ad Sales.

“We’ve been looking for the right opportunity for Rich to re-join our team ever since the Gemstar sale earlier this year,” said Mr. Vinciquerra. “He is a uniquely skilled executive who has demonstrated success in virtually every area of the television business. I’m delighted he’s returning to the company.”

Most recently Mr. Battista served as Chief Executive Officer of Gemstar-TV Guide International - owner of the TV Guide brand from 2004-2008. He was the chief architect of the company’s impressive turnaround in which it revitalized TV Guide Magazine and TV Guide Network while significantly expanding its reach across emerging media platforms, leading to the successful sale of the company to Macrovision in May 2008.

Previously, he reported to Mr. Vinciquerra and News Corp COO Peter Chernin while serving as Executive Vice President, Business Development and Strategy for Fox Entertainment Group (FEG) where he was responsible for managing business development and identifying potential strategic partners for the various FEG companies.

Before assuming that role, Mr. Battista served as Executive Vice President, Fox Networks Group, where he oversaw business development on behalf of Fox Broadcasting Company and the Fox Cable Networks.

Mr. Battista first joined Fox in 1990, holding numerous management positions throughout the rapidly evolving Fox Television portfolio. He left in 1999 to become Co-Founder and CEO of iFUSE, a youth culture media company, and returned in 2001 as Executive Vice President, Fox Television.

Before joining Fox, Mr. Battista worked as a financial analyst at the investment-banking firm of Morgan Stanley. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School, and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Georgetown University. He, his wife and their two sons live in Los Angeles.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: A photo of Mr. Battista is available at foxflash.com)