Libby Geist, a veteran ESPN executive who has been with the sports-media giant since 2008, will leave the company early next year, the latest in a series of prominent content executives to announce their departure from the Disney-owned outlet.
Geist is ESPN’s vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films and original content. She oversees most aspects of projects produced by ESPN Films, as well as original series and studio shows for ESPN Plus, the company’s growing streaming-video service. She also supervises ESPN stand-outs like the long-form news series “30 for 30,” and the ESPN Plus original “Detail with Kobe Bryant.”
Her exit, previously reported by Sports Business Journal, follows a series of structural changes at ESPN that will see its content chief, Connor Schell, leave to take up independent production duties; layoffs of 300 staffers; the departure of digital content chief Ryan Spoon; and a new executive arrangement that...
Geist is ESPN’s vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films and original content. She oversees most aspects of projects produced by ESPN Films, as well as original series and studio shows for ESPN Plus, the company’s growing streaming-video service. She also supervises ESPN stand-outs like the long-form news series “30 for 30,” and the ESPN Plus original “Detail with Kobe Bryant.”
Her exit, previously reported by Sports Business Journal, follows a series of structural changes at ESPN that will see its content chief, Connor Schell, leave to take up independent production duties; layoffs of 300 staffers; the departure of digital content chief Ryan Spoon; and a new executive arrangement that...
- 11/16/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall is joining FS1’s “First Things First,” where his 6’5” frame will make things crowded at the Fox Sports morning show desk.
Marshall joins Nick Wright, Cris Carter’s replacement Kevin Wildes, as well as Jenna Wolfe on the program, which kicks off weekdays at 7:30 a.m. Et on cable channel FS1 (the former Fox Sports 1).
They’re all full-time, daily participants — a person with knowledge of the plans told TheWrap that the idea here is to “make the show more of a panel-style discussion.”
Marshall, a six-time Pro Bowl player, has TV experience: In 2014, Marshall joined Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” as an on-air analyst. He’ll keep that job, for which he earned a 2016 Sports Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Analyst.
Also Read: Cincinnati Reds Announcer Thom Brennaman Suspended Mid-Game After Using Homophobic Slur on Air
“Brandon is a...
Marshall joins Nick Wright, Cris Carter’s replacement Kevin Wildes, as well as Jenna Wolfe on the program, which kicks off weekdays at 7:30 a.m. Et on cable channel FS1 (the former Fox Sports 1).
They’re all full-time, daily participants — a person with knowledge of the plans told TheWrap that the idea here is to “make the show more of a panel-style discussion.”
Marshall, a six-time Pro Bowl player, has TV experience: In 2014, Marshall joined Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” as an on-air analyst. He’ll keep that job, for which he earned a 2016 Sports Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Analyst.
Also Read: Cincinnati Reds Announcer Thom Brennaman Suspended Mid-Game After Using Homophobic Slur on Air
“Brandon is a...
- 8/20/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Television producer Kevin Wildes has been selected to fill the vacant seat previously occupied by Cris Carter on the FS1 morning debate show “First Things First.”
His on-air role is a full-time one, though Fox Sports said on Thursday that it will announce additional “First Things First” on-air talent at a later date. A person with knowledge of the plans told TheWrap that the desk will eventually be made up of a four-person team.
For now, Wildes joins Nick Wright and Jenna Wolfe on the program.
“Kevin is a unique talent and has always been high on our radar at FS1. His passion, high sports Iq and wealth of knowledge from behind the camera make him a great fit for the show,” said Charlie Dixon, executive vice president of content at FS1. “We’re thrilled to have him join the Fox Sports family.”
“I’ve always thought of television as a team sport,...
His on-air role is a full-time one, though Fox Sports said on Thursday that it will announce additional “First Things First” on-air talent at a later date. A person with knowledge of the plans told TheWrap that the desk will eventually be made up of a four-person team.
For now, Wildes joins Nick Wright and Jenna Wolfe on the program.
“Kevin is a unique talent and has always been high on our radar at FS1. His passion, high sports Iq and wealth of knowledge from behind the camera make him a great fit for the show,” said Charlie Dixon, executive vice president of content at FS1. “We’re thrilled to have him join the Fox Sports family.”
“I’ve always thought of television as a team sport,...
- 2/27/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Kevin Wildes has spent an entire career behind the camera. Now, in a unique twist, he’s going to be in front of it.
Wildes, who rose to become vice president of original content of ESPN’s NBA studio programming over the course of more than a decade at the Disney-owned sports-media giant, will take an on-air role on “First Things First,” the Fox Sports 1 morning program. He will appear alongside hosts Nick Wright and Jenna Wolfe. The show airs between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. eastern
“Kevin is a unique talent and has always been high on our radar at FS1. His passion, high sports Iq and wealth of knowledge from behind the camera make him a great fit for the show,” said Charlie Dixon, executive vice president of content at FS1, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have him join the Fox Sports family.”
During his time at ESPN,...
Wildes, who rose to become vice president of original content of ESPN’s NBA studio programming over the course of more than a decade at the Disney-owned sports-media giant, will take an on-air role on “First Things First,” the Fox Sports 1 morning program. He will appear alongside hosts Nick Wright and Jenna Wolfe. The show airs between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. eastern
“Kevin is a unique talent and has always been high on our radar at FS1. His passion, high sports Iq and wealth of knowledge from behind the camera make him a great fit for the show,” said Charlie Dixon, executive vice president of content at FS1, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have him join the Fox Sports family.”
During his time at ESPN,...
- 2/27/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
ABC hopes to shed new light on “Gma Day.”
The afternoon extension of the network’s “Good Morning America” is getting a new name and look, according to a person familiar with the matter. Audience members present at Monday morning’s taping of the program will notice a new set and logo that tamp down the emphasis on the show’s links to ABC’s morning flagship and place more significance on hosts Michael Strahan and Sara Haines.
The show has been re-titled “Strahan and Sara,” this person said. ABC News declined to make executives available for comment.
ABC News, which oversees “Gma,” launched the 1 p.m. program on the fly in September, betting that the duo could extend the network’s morning juggernaut to the afternoon, creating new opportunities for advertisers and affiliates in the process. “Good Morning America” fetched more than $350 million in ad revenue in 2017, according to Kantar Media,...
The afternoon extension of the network’s “Good Morning America” is getting a new name and look, according to a person familiar with the matter. Audience members present at Monday morning’s taping of the program will notice a new set and logo that tamp down the emphasis on the show’s links to ABC’s morning flagship and place more significance on hosts Michael Strahan and Sara Haines.
The show has been re-titled “Strahan and Sara,” this person said. ABC News declined to make executives available for comment.
ABC News, which oversees “Gma,” launched the 1 p.m. program on the fly in September, betting that the duo could extend the network’s morning juggernaut to the afternoon, creating new opportunities for advertisers and affiliates in the process. “Good Morning America” fetched more than $350 million in ad revenue in 2017, according to Kantar Media,...
- 1/28/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is getting back in the game — just as he officially retires from the NFL.
The Super Bowl Champion announced both the end of his old career and the start of a new one as an NFL analyst at ESPN, in a video on “Uninterrupted” Tuesday.
The seven-year NFL vet and 2012 Pro Bowl selection will appear on “NFL Live,” “Get Up!,” “SportsCenter,” ESPN Radio and other ESPN platforms year-round. Cruz will make his ESPN debut Wednesday during the 9 a.m. Et hour on both “Get Up!” and “SportsCenter.”
Also Read: How Alex Gibney's ESPN Docuseries 'Enhanced' Tackles Moral Dilemmas of Modern Technology
“As I officially close one chapter of my life and begin another, I could not be more thrilled to join another championship team at ESPN,” said Cruz in a statement. “I’m excited to get started and share my insight...
The Super Bowl Champion announced both the end of his old career and the start of a new one as an NFL analyst at ESPN, in a video on “Uninterrupted” Tuesday.
The seven-year NFL vet and 2012 Pro Bowl selection will appear on “NFL Live,” “Get Up!,” “SportsCenter,” ESPN Radio and other ESPN platforms year-round. Cruz will make his ESPN debut Wednesday during the 9 a.m. Et hour on both “Get Up!” and “SportsCenter.”
Also Read: How Alex Gibney's ESPN Docuseries 'Enhanced' Tackles Moral Dilemmas of Modern Technology
“As I officially close one chapter of my life and begin another, I could not be more thrilled to join another championship team at ESPN,” said Cruz in a statement. “I’m excited to get started and share my insight...
- 8/21/2018
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Kevin Wildes, former VP of Original Content at ESPN, has joined ABC News’ Good Morning America as executive producer of “Gma Day.”
Gma Senior Executive Producer Michael Corn announced the hire Thursday in a note to staff.
During his tenure at ESPN, Wildes produced shows including NBA Countdown, The Jump hosted by Rachel Nichols, Kobe Bryant’s Detail show for ESPN+ and SportsNation.
Wildes appointment comes on the heels of the announcement that Michael Strahan and Sara Haines will co-host “Gma Day”, the third hour of Good Morning America. It premieres at 1 Pm Monday, September 10, on ABC.
You can read Corn’s memo in full below.
Team,
I am excited to share that Kevin Wildes will be joining the team as Executive Producer of “Gma Day.”
Kevin comes from ESPN where he most recently served as Vice President of Original Content. He has produced many shows we’re all familiar with including NBA Countdown,...
Gma Senior Executive Producer Michael Corn announced the hire Thursday in a note to staff.
During his tenure at ESPN, Wildes produced shows including NBA Countdown, The Jump hosted by Rachel Nichols, Kobe Bryant’s Detail show for ESPN+ and SportsNation.
Wildes appointment comes on the heels of the announcement that Michael Strahan and Sara Haines will co-host “Gma Day”, the third hour of Good Morning America. It premieres at 1 Pm Monday, September 10, on ABC.
You can read Corn’s memo in full below.
Team,
I am excited to share that Kevin Wildes will be joining the team as Executive Producer of “Gma Day.”
Kevin comes from ESPN where he most recently served as Vice President of Original Content. He has produced many shows we’re all familiar with including NBA Countdown,...
- 8/2/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
ESPN executive Kevin Wildes will serve as executive producer of the new daytime hour of “Good Morning America” to be hosted by Michael Strahan and Sara Haines, ABC announced on Thursday.
The new hire was announced by “Gma” senior executive producer Michael Corn in an internal staff memo on Thursday.
“Kevin is a skilled producer and brings an enormous amount of live television experience to his new role,” Corn wrote. “He created shows that both informed and entertained a wide fan base which is at the heart of what we do at Gma.”
Also Read: Sara Haines to Exit 'The View,' Will Host New 'Gma' Hour With Michael Strahan
Wildes has served as vice president of original content at ESPN, since 2016 and has produced a number of programs including “NBA Countdown,” “The Jump” hosted by Rachel Nichols, “SportsNation” and Kobe Bryant’s Detail show for the streaming service ESPN+.
The new hire was announced by “Gma” senior executive producer Michael Corn in an internal staff memo on Thursday.
“Kevin is a skilled producer and brings an enormous amount of live television experience to his new role,” Corn wrote. “He created shows that both informed and entertained a wide fan base which is at the heart of what we do at Gma.”
Also Read: Sara Haines to Exit 'The View,' Will Host New 'Gma' Hour With Michael Strahan
Wildes has served as vice president of original content at ESPN, since 2016 and has produced a number of programs including “NBA Countdown,” “The Jump” hosted by Rachel Nichols, “SportsNation” and Kobe Bryant’s Detail show for the streaming service ESPN+.
- 8/2/2018
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Kevin Wildes, a sports-tv executive who has been serving as vice president of original content at ESPN, will take the reins of ABC’s new hour of “Gma Day,” ABC’s new effort to bring its “Good Morning America” franchise to the afternoon.
ABC is expected to launch the show, co-anchored by Michael Strahan and Sara Haines. on September 10. The new hour is expected to be taped live in the mid-morning and then run at 1 p.m. on weekdays. One scenario that has been discussed for the new hour would involve making use of the live, in-studio audience assembled each morning for the 8 a.m. hour of the flagship show. ABC said earlier this year it would replace “The Chew” with the new “Gma” hour.
“Kevin is a skilled producer and brings an enormous amount of live television experience to his new role,”said Michael Corn, senior executive producer of “Good Morning America,...
ABC is expected to launch the show, co-anchored by Michael Strahan and Sara Haines. on September 10. The new hour is expected to be taped live in the mid-morning and then run at 1 p.m. on weekdays. One scenario that has been discussed for the new hour would involve making use of the live, in-studio audience assembled each morning for the 8 a.m. hour of the flagship show. ABC said earlier this year it would replace “The Chew” with the new “Gma” hour.
“Kevin is a skilled producer and brings an enormous amount of live television experience to his new role,”said Michael Corn, senior executive producer of “Good Morning America,...
- 8/2/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
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