Cris Abrego has officially got the top job at the Television Academy. The top reality producer has been elected by the Board of Governors as its chairman for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024. He succeeds Frank Scherma, who was no longer eligible after serving two terns as chairman.
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
Deadline revealed last week that Abrego was poised to become Chairman of the Primetime Emmys operator. We hear that he was running uncontested, one of the reasons why he was expected to score the top job. He also had 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 incoming officers, elected by the Board of Governors, who will serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 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 Dec. 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.