Random Article Summary #156

Rich Ross is a former group president of the Discovery Channel and Science Channel. During his time at Discovery, he also oversaw Animal Planet and Velocity. Before that, he led Shine America as CEO, and he previously held top roles at Disney, including president of entertainment for Disney Channel and chairman of Walt Disney Studios. In 2009, when he became chairman of Walt Disney Studios, he was the first openly gay studio chief. In 2015, he shared his plans for Discovery Channel, focusing on bringing in senior executives to manage documentaries, specials, and scripted shows. Under his leadership, Shark Week achieved its highest ratings ever and was the most-watched July. Rich Ross grew up in Eastchester, New York. His father, Marty, worked in the garment industry, and his mother, Harriet, moved from teaching into real estate; he is Jewish. He graduated from Eastchester High School, then worked in the mail room at the William Morris Agency at age 19, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1983, and completed his J.D. at Fordham University in 1986. Ross began his entertainment career at Nickelodeon as a talent booker, where he managed casting and talent bookings for shows like Clarissa Explains It All and Hey Dude. He also worked as an executive producer for the Kids’ Choice Awards and, as vice president of program enterprises, helped lead original programming deals and launch Nick News into syndication, as well as supporting the launch of Nickelodeon UK. In 1993, he joined FX Networks and was on the executive team that launched the cable network. In 1996, Rich Ross joined Disney Channel, rising to lead entertainment and, by 2004, overseeing Disney Channel brands worldwide. He helped build Disney’s global kids’ TV business and launched successful Disney Channel Original Movie franchises and popular shows, later becoming Chairman of Walt Disney Studios in 2009. His film leadership included major hits, but it was also hurt by box-office flops like Mars Needs Moms and John Carter, and he left Disney in 2012 amid reported tensions, including claims that he tried to blame Pixar. Rich Ross became CEO of Shine America in January 2013. In this role, he led Shine Group’s business strategy in the U.S., managing the production, distribution, and marketing of original TV content across broadcast, cable, and digital platforms.