Smallscreen News

HRTS State of Broadcast: Inside the Changing World of Network TV, Nov. 28

By April MacIntyre Nov 20, 2012, 5:35 GMT

The Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS) will present “The State of Broadcast: Inside the Changing World of Network Television,” as part of the 2012-2013 HRTS Newsmaker Luncheon Series, on Wednesday, November 28 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.

The announcement was made today by Sean Perry, HRTS President and Partner, Co-Department Head, Non-Scripted Television, William Morris Endeavor (WME) Entertainment and Dave Ferrara, HRTS Executive Director.

From the press release

The luncheon will feature prominent executives from the broadcast industry including Kevin Reilly, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company; Kenneth Ziffren, Co-Founder and Partner, Ziffren Brittenham, LLP; Peter Benedek, Co-Founder and Board Member, UTA; Katherine Pope, President of Television, Chernin Entertainment; plus additional panelists and moderator to be announced.

“It is important to keep up with trends and changes in this rapidly evolving business, and the 'State of Broadcast' panel, which features leaders from various fields of entertainment, will provide unparalleled insight and a thought-provoking discussion addressing the challenges we face as an industry,” said Perry.

As chairman of entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), Kevin Reilly is responsible for driving the company’s creative vision and growth strategies and oversees all programming, scheduling, marketing, research, digital and business affairs for the only network in broadcast history to win eight consecutive seasons. Throughout his career, Reilly has distinguished himself as one of television’s most influential and forward-thinking leaders. On the creative front, Reilly has championed some of TV’s most successful and critically celebrated series, including “GLEE,” “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “The Sopranos,” “The Shield” and “ER.” 

Kenneth Ziffren is co-founder and partner of Ziffren Brittenham, LLP (1979-present) where his representative transactions include:  Neutral Mediator in resolving WGA-AMPTP strike (1988); counsel to independent television production companies and Guilds in FINSYN matters (1990-1993) and FCC proceedings (2001- to date); counsel to NFL in network contracts (1993, 1998); counsel to Microsoft in forming MSNBC (1996); negotiated for DirecTv with studios on domestic and international pay-per-view agreements; negotiated for Starz! with studios on premium pay movie channel; negotiated for private equity firms in purchasing MGM (2005).

Peter Benedek is a founding partner and board member of United Talent Agency (UTA). Benedek has helped steer UTA’s growth over two decades into a premier global talent and literary agency with a reputation for creating unsurpassed creative opportunities for artists, content creators and brands.  Based in Beverly Hills and New York, UTA represents many of world's most widely known figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment, including motion pictures, television, digital media, books, physical production, music and live entertainment.  The agency is also globally recognized in the areas of film finance, corporate consulting, branding, licensing and commercial endorsements.

Katherine Pope oversees all creative development and production for the Twentieth Century Fox-based film and television production company as president of Television at Chernin Entertainment. Pope spent much of her career at NBC Universal, rising to the position of President, Universal Media Studios. Among the series produced by the studio during her tenure were some of television’s highest-rated scripted series, including HOUSE and “Heroes,” the Emmy-winning comedies “The Office” and “30 Rock” and the critically acclaimed “Friday Night Lights.”

The 2012-2013 HRTS Newsmaker Luncheon Series is sponsored in part by The Lippin Group. There will be a live-stream of the panel provided by HRTS’ partners CSG Systems, Digital Rapids and Limelight Networks. 

For reservations and further information, please call (818) 789-1182 or visit www.HRTS.org.

Founded in 1947, HRTS is the entertainment industry's premier information and networking forum.