John Hesling to Head FOX Alternative Entertainment

John Hesling has been named executive VP, head of FOX Alternative Entertainment (FAE), FOX Entertainment’s in-house unscripted studio.

Hesling will be responsible for overseeing the development and production of all unscripted series owned by FOX Entertainment, as well as programs FAE produces for third-party buyers in the U.S. and abroad.

Current FOX series on the company’s roster include The Masked Singer, Next Level Chef (in partnership with Studio Ramsay Global), I Can See Your Voice, Crime Scene Kitchen (with Fly on the Wall Entertainment), Alter Ego, Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer, Domino Masters and Name that Tune.

FAE-produced programs for outside platforms include the dating competition Love Trip: Paris for Freeform and the variety series The Big Deal for Ireland’s Virgin Media Television in partnership with Dublin-based BiggerStage.

He reports to Allison Wallach, president of unscripted programming for FOX Entertainment.

“I am so excited for John to join FAE and lead the incredible team we have assembled,” said Wallach. “His creative vision and vast experience as both a producer and an executive working on a global scale will be key to our strategy of building FAE as a leading provider of innovative series and formats for FOX and third-party platforms throughout the world.”

Added Hesling, “Getting the chance to work with Allison and team at FOX is an amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started. FAE has a roster of incredible talent and global ambitions, and that, together with a focus on creating hit shows for the network, is a super exciting challenge.”

Most recently, Hesling was president of Maverick TV USA from 2018 to 2022. He began his career with the BBC in 1995, first in its Natural History Unit before moving to BBC Entertainment in London, then BBC Entertainment Productions in New York and, ultimately, Los Angeles-based BBC Worldwide Productions as senior VP of programming.