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indiantelevision.com Team
MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has created a new unit to oversee the development and production of alternative animated series, shorts and user-adapted material for a brand new late-night animated programming block and new digital multi-platform network.
To run this new unit, Fox has inked an exclusive deal with Nick Weidenfeld, former head of programme development for Adult Swim and executive producer of series ?Childrens Hospital? and ?The Boondocks?.
The network has also tapped producer Hend Baghdady as the executive in charge of production for the new division.
Under their leadership, the unit will develop and produce original animated shorts and series to run both on-air and online. The late-night programming block will air Saturdays on Fox and will feature four new animated series per season starting in January 2013.
The digital channel will extend across platforms such as Web, mobile apps, game consoles and Video on Demand. It kicks off in 2012 and will feature 50 original short-form pieces per year, online windows of Fox animated shows, and user-adapted content.
Fox will also use its expertise and cross-promotional power to nurture these new assets through this pipeline.
Fox president of entertainment Kevin Reilly said, "This may be the first time a network is building a clear bridge for talent to develop and grow ideas in the digital/alternative arena and organically move them into the mainstream. These new late-night series will be assets in their own right - but the clear possibility exists for a breakout digital success to graduate to primetime."
Prior to teaming with Fox under his Friends Night production company banner, Weidenfeld served as the head of programme development for Adult Swim. Over the last eight years, Weidenfeld helped grow the late-night block of programming on Cartoon Network Adult Swim.
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