Anne Sweeney, Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney-ABC Television Group, announced yesterday the promotion of ABC Daytime President, Brian Frons, to President, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group. He will continue his day-to-day responsibilities at ABC Daytime, while adding SOAPnet and Buena Vista Productions to his watch and overseeing the creation, production and delivery of all Daytime programming for the Disney-ABC Television Group.
“The Disney-ABC Television Group was created to allow for efficiencies across all our businesses. This new structure achieves this by giving us one strategic vision for all our daytime oriented programming, regardless of where it airs. And Brian Frons is the perfect executive for this new venture. He’s intelligent, collaborative, creative and honorable, and has a penchant for approaching challenges with an eye towards what’s next, not what’s worked in the past,” said Sweeney in a statement, whom he will continue to report.
Frons joined the Disney family in August 2002, when he took over as ABC Daytime President from outgoing President, Angela Shapiro, who found herself doing double duty as President of the ABC Family Cable Network and President of ABC Daytime, until Mr. Frons’ appointment was announced. Shapiro has since married and moved onto the FOX Television Stations Group as President. As President of ABC Daytime, Frons was responsible for all aspects of Daytime programming, including the development, marketing, production and promotion of ABC Daytime programming. The daytime lineup consists of the soaps “All My Children,” “One Life to Live,” and “General Hospital” and talk-show, “The View” hosted by Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Joy Behar, Star Jones Reynolds, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Under his reign the ABC Daytime lineup continues to rank #1 in Women 18-49 (most coveted by advertisers) in Daytime Dramas and Full Daytime for the season.
“I’m honored that Anne has shown such faith in my abilities, and I’m thrilled with the prospect of what lies ahead,” said Frons in accepting his new responsibilities.
Frons began his career at CBS Entertainment in 1978. His previous daytime credits include stints at both CBS and NBC Daytime. He also helped with the development and creation of the “Soap Opera Digest Awards.”