Cris Abrego Elected Chairman of Television Academy

Cris Abrego is officially a chairman…

The Latino television producer, writer and television executive has been elected by the Television Academy’s Board of Governors as its chairman for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2024.

Cris AbregoAbrego succeeds Frank Scherma, who was no longer eligible after serving two terns as chairman.

It was previously reported that Abrego was poised to become Chairman of the Primetime Emmys organizer. He was reportedly running uncontested with strong internal support stemming from his work on the Academy’s executive committee and as chairman of the Television Academy Foundation since 2021.

Abrego is the longtime Banijay U.S. chief who recently set up his own production group with Eva Longoria. He is Chairman of Banijay Americas and oversees the North American and Latin American divisions of Banijay, which acquired Endemol Shine a few years ago.

Previously, Abrego served as CEO of Endemol Shine Holdings. As co-founder of 51 Minds Entertainment, Abrego is considered an early architect of the unscripted television genre. He grew that company from its boutique beginnings to a major unscripted studio acquired by Endemol five years later.

Last month, he also launched Hyphenate Media Group with Longoria, where he is CEO, a Banijay-backed venture that will develop and produce its own slate as well as invest in creator-led companies.

“I am honored to step into this role and feel the significant weight of responsibility in leading the Television Academy into the future, especially in this transformative moment in our business,” Abrego said. “As the entertainment ecosystem continues to undergo seismic shifts, I look forward to linking arms with our new officers and governors to lead our Academy and support our membership as we forge the path ahead together.”

The Academy also announced its newly elected officers and governors for the 2024-2025 term. Additionally, TV Academy President Maury McIntyre has added CEO to his title as he has renewed his contract through 2026. Chief Financial Officer Heather Cochran has also been named Chief Operating Officer. She and Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Media & Brand Management Susan Spencer have extended their contracts through 2025

The incoming officers, elected by the Board of Governors, who will serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024, through December 31, 2025, are: Sharon Lieblein, Vice Chair; Rickey Minor, 2nd Vice Chair; Allison Binder, Secretary; and Ann Leslie Uzdavinis, Treasurer.

The Academy’s newly elected governors will serve a two-year term through 2025 along with their co-governors who continue to serve two-year terms ending December 31, 2024.

The Emmys are set to air on Fox on January 15, 2024, pushed due to the writers and actors strikes. They will be preceded by the Creative Emmys the weekend before.

Gloria Calderón Kellett Appointed to Television Academy’s Executive Committee

Gloria Calderón Kellett is reporting for committee duty…

The 47-year-old Cuban American award-winning television writer/creator has been appointed to the Television Academy’s Executive Committee for 2023 by chairman and CEO Frank Scherma.

Gloria Calderón KellettCalderon Kellet is among six new committee members that includes Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO/HBO Max ContentGeorge Cheeks, President and CEO, CBS, and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports, Paramount+Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group; Lisa Nishimura, Vice President, Independent and Documentary Films at Netflix; and Zack Van Amburg, Chief Content Officer and Head of Worldwide Video for Apple TV+.

They will advise on the organization’s diverse initiatives and help lead the Academy throughout the upcoming year.

“I’m thrilled to welcome these accomplished executives back to serve on our Executive Committee,” said Scherma in a statement. “They will continue to bring their extensive experience and insight to our dynamic organization.”

Additionally, the Academy’s Board of Governors has elected the following Peer Group Governors as their representatives on the executive committee for the 2023 term: Eddie Bonin (special visual effects), Debra Curtis (television executives), Jill Dickerson (reality programming) and Troy Underwood (children’s programming). Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy Foundation, will also serve on the committee.

Calderón Kellett’s recent credits include the One Day at a Time reboot and Amazon StudiosWith Love.

Television Academy Names Rita Moreno to This Year’s Hall of Fame Class

Rita Moreno is entering a special hall

The Television Academy has announced its 26th Hall of Fame class, with the 90-year-old Puerto Rican entertainer among the honorees.

Rita Moreno,Moreno will be joined by choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, documentarian Ken Burns, BET founder Robert L. Johnson, CBS executive Bob Daly and cinematographer Donald A. Morgan.

Moreno, an EGOT winner (Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tony Awards), is a two-time Emmy winner for The Muppet Show and The Rockford Files.

She has starred in series including The Electric Company, Sesame Street, Nine to Five, Oz, Cane, Happily Divorced, Jane the Virgin, and the Latinx reimagining of Norman Lear’s One Day at a Time.

Moreno’s many accolades also include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Arts, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors and the Peabody Award.

Moreno is among two of the honorees who’ve already received honorary awards from the Television Academy. She was awarded a “Televisionary Award” in 2008. Allen received a Governors Award last year.

The Hall of Fame event will take place on Wednesday, November 16, at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

In addition to the induction of the 2022 Hall of Fame recipients, the event will include the presentation of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to actor/director/activist Sean Penn and the unveiling of new busts of four previous inductees.

“These legendary performers, creators, craftspeople and television executives are luminaries in our industry,” Frank Scherma, chairman and CEO of the Television Academy, said in a statement. “Their work has influenced and immeasurably elevated the current television landscape and culture. We are proud to induct these trailblazers into the Hall of Fame and honored to celebrate their extraordinary contributions to our industry.”

“This year’s honorees have told the American story through television in ways that will forever shape our history and culture,” said Rick Rosen, Hall of Fame selection committee chair (who is also WME co-founder and head of television). “Whether they reshaped the industry itself through visionary leadership or created pieces of work that have had a lasting legacy, these individuals will forever be remembered for the impact they’ve had on the medium.”

The 2022 Hall of Fame honorees join more than 150 individuals previously inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1984. The honors were presented every year from 1984 to 1993, but the Academy has skipped 13 years since then for various reasons. This is the first induction class since 2019.

In addition to Rosen, this year’s Hall of Fame selection committee included Marcy Carsey, Emmy-winning producer; Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group; Peter Roth, former chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group; Nina Tassler, co-chief executive officer of PatMa Productions; and Dana Walden, chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content.

Ariana DeBose to Serve as Presenter at Upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards

Ariana DeBose is headed to primetime

The Television Academy has announced its first batch of presenters for Monday’s 74th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, with the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress, singer and Broadway star making the list.

Ariana DeBose,In addition to the West Side Story star, others set to appear on the awards show include Will Arnett, Angela Bassett, Vanessa Bayer, Kelly Clarkson, Taye Diggs, Hannah Einbinder, Selena Gomez, Mariska HargitaySquid Game’s Jung Ho-yeon & Lee Jung-jae, Jimmy Kimmel, Diego Luna, Christopher Meloni, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, Jean Smart, Kerry Washington and Natalie Zea.

More presenters will be announced closer to TV’s Biggest Night, which will be hosted by SNL stalwart Kenan Thompson from the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

The ceremony will air live on NBC starting at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET.

The Primetime Emmys follow this past weekend’s two-night presentation of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Melissa Fumero to Help Announce Primetime Emmy Nominations

Melissa Fumero is reporting for Primetime duty…

The 39-year-old Cuban American actress will team up with JB Smoove to announce the Primetime Emmy nominations on July 12, according to the Television Academy.

Melissa FumeroFumero and Smoove will appear in Blockbusterthe upcoming Netflix comedy set at the last remaining Blockbuster Video outlet.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine alum Fumero stars alongside Randall Park, and Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Smoove is set to recur.

Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma will join the duo for the announcement, which will be livestreamed at Emmys.com.

Fumero starred as Officer Amy Santiago on all eight seasons of the NBC/Fox sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, opposite Andy Samberg, sharing a 2015 SAG Awards nomination for its ensemble.

Her credits also include Gossip Girl and Diary of a Future Presidentalong with voice roles on M.O.D.O.K. and Elena of AvalorShe also appeared in more than 200 episodes of the long-running ABC soap One Life to Live from 2005-11.

“It’s been another exceptional year of television with an abundance of remarkable programs and performances,” Scherma said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have JB and Melissa on board to help us celebrate the extraordinary shows, producers, storytellers and talent that continue to shape and elevate our dynamic medium.”

The 74th annual Primetime Emmys Awards will air Monday, September 12, on NBC. Peacock will stream the ceremony live for the first time.

Gloria Calderón Kellett Appointed to Television Academy’s Executive Committee

Gloria Calderón Kellett is joining the Television Academy’s executive committee…

The 45-year-old Latina television writer, creator and One Day at a Time executive producer is among the six new appointees to organization’s executive committee, as chosen by the organization’s chairman and CEO, Frank Scherma.

Gloria Calderón Kellett

Calderón Kellett is joined by Issa Rae, Rob Mills, Anonymous Content’s Dawn Olmstead, Amazon StudiosVernon Sanders and Apple TV PlusZack Van Amburg.

“We are thrilled to be able to leverage the collective expertise of this talented group of Television innovators as we navigate this extraordinary time in the history of our industry,” Scherma said. “Their leadership provides invaluable insight that will allow the Academy to play an integral role in shaping the evolution of the medium.”

The six appointees will work closely with the Television Academy’s officers and board of governors to develop and guide the direction of the Academy for the 2021 term, the organization said.

Here’s more on Scherma’s new executive committee members:

Gloria Calderón Kellett: Executive producer, co-creator, co-showrunner, director and actress on One Day at a Time. Other credits as a writer/producer include Devious Maids, Rules of Engagement and How I Met Your Mother. She also directed episodes of Mr. Iglesias, Merry Happy Whatever, United We Fall and the Mad About You revival; and recently sold her first feature film, We Were There Too.

Robert Mills: Senior vice president, alternative series, specials and late-night programming, ABC Entertainment. Mills oversees development, current production and specials for ABC, with shows such as “American Idol,” “Shark Tank,” “The Bachelor” franchise, “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” He also handles late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and the “Fun & Games” programming block.

 

Dawn Olmstead: Recently named CEO and partner of Anonymous Content. Prior to that, she served as president of Universal Content Productions, overseeing all creative and business operations of scripted and non-scripted content for the studio.

Issa Rae: Actress, writer and producer. She created and stars in HBO’s “Insecure,” for which she has received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Rae’s film credits include “The Hate U Give,” “The Lovebirds” and “Coastal Elites.”

Vernon Sanders: Co-Head of Television at Amazon Studios. Sanders oversees scripted and unscripted original programming produced for Prime Video and IMDb TV alongside Albert Cheng, including “Fleabag,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” and “The Boys.” Prior to Amazon, Sanders served as executive vice president, current programming for NBC.

Zack Van Amburg: Chief content officer and head of worldwide video for Apple TV Plus. Van Amburg oversees all aspects of strategy for video programming globally including the launch of the platform. Prior to Apple, he served as president of Sony Pictures Television.

Meanwhile also elected to the Academy’s board of governors as representatives on the executive committee for the 2021 term: Eva Basler, daytime programming; Kim Coleman, casting directors; Nicole Marostica, public relations; and Lois Vossen, documentary programming.

Cris Abrego, Chairman of the Americas, Banijay, and President and CEO, Endemol Shine Holdings, who was recently elected to serve a two-year term as the Television Academy foundation chair, will also serve on the Television Academy’s executive committee.

Cris Abrego Becomes First Latino Elected Chair of Television Academy Foundation

Cris Abrego is making history…

The Latino television executive, who was recently named Banijay’s Chairman of the Americas and president and CEO of Endemol Shine Holdings, has been elected chair of the Television Academy Foundation.

Cris Abrego

Abrego becomes the first Latino to hold the office; his two-year term will begin January 1 and run through December 31, 2022.

Other officers elected to serve two-year terms at the Television Academy’s charitable arm include Vice Chair Jonathan Murray, Bunim/Murray Productions co-founder; Treasurer Deborah Bradley, president of Bungalo Homes, Amherst; and Secretary Billie Greer, a public policy advisor and consultant.

Abrego succeeds Madeline Di Nonno, the CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, who served two consecutive terms. She’ll remain on the Foundation’s board of directors, and with Thomas Sarnoff will continue to serve on the foundation’s Executive Committee as Chair Emeritus and Founding Chair Emeritus, respectively.

“I am thrilled and honored to serve as Foundation chair and look forward to working with the board and staff as we build a more inclusive entertainment business,” Abrego said. “During these unprecedented times, we are expanding our reach to serve an even greater number of diverse students from across the country, advancing the Foundation’s goals of helping to shape the careers of the next generation of television professionals.”

Abrego’s oversight includes Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Authentic Entertainment, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Stephen David Entertainment and Yellow Bird U.S.

In Latin America, Abrego also oversees Endemol Shine Latino, the company’s Spanish- and Portuguese-language sales and development division.

Cris Abrego Named to Television Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors

Cris Abrego is joining the Board…

The Television Academy Foundation has added four new members to its board of directors, including the Latino television executive at Endemol Shine.

Cris Abrego

Abrego will be joined by fellow newcomers to the board: Bunim/Murray Productions co-founder Jonathan MurrayOWN president Tina Perry and composer Rickey Minor.

Abrego is chairman of Endemol Shine Americas, and CEO of Endemol Shine North America. He oversees shows in the U.S. including Big BrotherMasterChef and Lego Masters.

The Television Academy Foundation is the charitable arm of the Television Academy. Its board of directors also includes Netflix’s Cindy HollandNina TasslerEpix’s Michael Wright and Suzanne de Passe.

“Our incoming board members bring extensive business and creative acumen in key sectors of our television industry,” said Madeline Di Nonno, chair of the Television Academy Foundation. “We welcome their thought leadership, strategic guidance and support as the Foundation expands its educational programs and community outreach, which are designed to promote diversity and inclusivity within the television industry and deepen support for the next generation of entertainment leaders.”

Diane Guerrero to Present at This Year’s Creative Arts Emmys

Diane Guerrero is getting Creative

The Television Academy has announced the first group of presenters for the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys, which will be doled out in dual ceremonies next month, with the 33-year-old Colombian American actress and Orange is the New Black star making the list.

Diane Guerrero

Guerrero will take the stage for Night 1 on Saturday, September 14. She joins a roster of presenters that includes Jon Favreau and Roy ChoiJeff GoldblumMarie KondoLisa Kudrow,Sig HansenDerek Hough and Wanda Sykes.

Highlighting the presenters at the second show on Sunday, September 15, is a reunion of In Living Color cast members including Keenen Ivory WayansShawn WayansDavid Alan Grierand Tommy Davidson. Also set are Alfie AllenCharlie BarnettRachel BloomRon Cephas JonesRob CorddryLaverne CoxLisa Edelstein,Anna Konkleand Maya ErskineChris O’Dowd,Ryan O’ConnellWendell PierceMarcus Scribnerand Michaela Watkins.

The 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards will start at 5:00 pm both nights at the Microsoft Theaterin Los Angeles. FXXwill air the awards at 8:00 pm on Saturday, September 21.

Reyes Wins First-Ever Emmy at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Víctor Reyes has an extra special piece of hardware for his mantel…

The 54-year-old Spanish composer won his first-ever Emmy during the first night of the Television Academy’s the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Victor Reyes

Reyes picked up the award in the Outstanding Music Composition For A Limited Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score) category for his work on AMC’s The Night Manager.

In recent years, Reyes has enjoyed international success with scores for Buried, Red Lights and Grand Piano. The latter, a taut thriller starring Elijah Wood and John Cusack includes an original piano concerto written by the composer, which is integral to the plot of the film and received high praise from music critics.

Reyes also earned the 2002 Cinema Writers Circle Award (CEC) for The City With No Limits.

But Reyes isn’t the only Latino winner…

Dana Gonzales won his first Emmy in the Outstanding Cinematography For A Limited Series or Movie category. The Latino cinematographer earned the award for his work on the “Waiting for Dutch” episode of FX Network’s series Fargo

Meanwhile, Eddie Perez picked up his first-ever Emmy award in the Outstanding Stunt Coordination For A Comedy Series or Variety Program category. The Latino stunt performer and actor won the award for his work on Showtime’s Shameless.

The first night of the two-night Creative Emmy Awards show was held at the Microsoft Theatre L.A. Live.