James Oh and Shana C. Waterman Named Vice Presidents of Current Programming
David Sleven Appointed Director, Current Programming
Fox Broadcasting Company has strengthened its Current Programming leadership team to ensure the continued success and growth of broadcast television’s leading scripted programming lineup, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment and Marcy Ross, Executive Vice President, Current Programming.
Shana C. Waterman and James Oh have both been promoted to Vice President, Current Programming. In their new roles, Oh and Waterman will oversee all aspects of production and serve as the primary creative advisers for FOX’s diverse slate of new and returning series. Both executives will report to Ross and will be responsible for nurturing and growing the network’s current scripted programming to build even more strength and stability across FOX’s schedule.
In addition, David Sleven has been appointed Director, Current Programming. Previously Manager, Comedy Development, Sleven will also report to Ross and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of current FOX shows.
“With the level of competition today, it’s more important than ever that we invest in top-notch talent to ensure that our programming remains innovative and relevant,†said Reilly. “It’s thanks in part to the tremendous dedication and creativity of our current programming team that FOX just notched its first of fall season win.â€
“Shana and James are two gifted, creative executives who have won the trust and admiration of their peers and the executive producers of their shows,†said Ross. “Together with the fresh energy of David Sleven, I have the most dynamic and talented group in the business.â€
Previously, Mr. Oh served as Director, Current Programming at FOX and supervised several of the network’s new and returning series, including HUMAN TARGET, CODE 58 (working title), 24, THE SIMPSONS, LIE TO ME, BONES and THE WANDA SYKES SHOW. Prior to that, he held leadership roles within the network’s program and audience research departments, where he provided strategic analyses evaluating overall network, program and schedule strengths. Before joining FOX in April 1998, Mr. Oh held production and market research roles at Vibe TV and The Martec Group. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Ms. Waterman joined FOX as Director, Current Programming in 2006. In this role, she oversaw several of the network’s acclaimed scripted series including HOUSE, GLEE, FRINGE, FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD and THE CLEVELAND SHOW. Prior to joining FOX, she was a Manager of Development at Timberman/Beverly Productions. In addition to her work in television, Ms. Waterman has sustained her ongoing interest in theater. She recently completed several years of service as a board member and former chair of Los Angeles-based, Cornerstone Theater Company and has worked as a consultant to New Haven’s Tony Award-winning Long Wharf Theatre. She also served as a senior researcher for playwright/actor Anna Deavere Smith, and in that capacity participated in Harvard’s Institute on the Arts & Civic Dialogue. Ms. Waterman produced the play “Ah Ha Moments,†which was nominated for an NAACP Excellence in Theater Award. Currently she serves on the Board of the New York Foundation for the Arts. Ms. Waterman is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School.
Prior to transitioning to his new role in Current Programming, Mr. Sleven served as Manager of Comedy Development at FOX, with a focus on animation. While in this role, Mr. Sleven developed FOX’s newest animated series, BOB’S BURGERS, for which he will be the covering Current executive, as well as THE CLEVELAND SHOW, FOX’s latest animated hit.
Mr. Sleven was also actively involved in developing the Fox Inkubation Studios program, a partnership with 20th Century Fox Television that provides funding for writers and animators to produce short pieces for potential network development and or digital distribution.