Former network entertainment president, Paul Lee resigned Wednesday after three years amidst a ratings fallout and power struggle involving Ben Sherwood, chairman of the Disney-ABC Television Group. ABC development executive Channing Dungey has been named as Lee’s successor.
The promotion makes her the first Black president of a traditional broadcast network.
I’m thrilled and humbled that Ben has entrusted me with this tremendous opportunity. And I am truly grateful to Paul for being a valued mentor and friend. I’ve had the great honor of working alongside the talented team at ABC for many years and look forward to starting this exciting new chapter with them.”
Dungey became Senior Vice President of Drama at ABC Primetime Entertainment in 2009. Her extensive background with ABC began in 2004 with her contributing to development and acquisition of drama programming including Lost, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy. She co-produced Queen of the Damned starring Aaliyah and The Big Bounce starring Owen Wilson and Morgan Freeman. Dungley graduated magna cum laude from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television where she now teaches a graduate level course on “Developing the Drama Pilot”.
