Former CBS President Nancy Tellem Joins Microsoft

REDMOND: Nancy Tellem, who previously served as the president of CBS Network Television Entertainment Group, has been hired by Microsoft as the president of entertainment and digital media.

Tellem will oversee the launch of a new production studio in Los Angeles that is focused on developing interactive and linear content for the Xbox and other devices. In addition to running the studio, Tellem will help lead the company’s efforts to transform the Xbox into a one-stop entertainment destination. She will report to Phil Spencer, the corporate VP of Microsoft Studios.

“I am excited to be a part of the continued evolution of Xbox from a gaming console to the hub of every household’s entertainment experience,” said Tellem. “The Xbox is already a consumer favorite, and we now have a tremendous opportunity to transform it into the center of all things entertainment—from games, music and fitness to news, sports, live events, television series and movies—so consumers have one destination for all their entertainment needs. I look forward to building a studio team that embraces the challenges of creating true interactive content that the Xbox platform supports and to work with talent to create content that will change the way entertainment content is experienced and delivered.”

“Whether you are voting for your favorite contestant on a TV show or playing a game, entertainment is becoming more personalized and social, driven by the Internet and new tools to interact with content,” Spencer added. “We are embarking on a new chapter with the creation of a studio dedicated to making original interactive and linear content, and I’m excited to have Nancy leading this effort.”

“With her impressive background in entertainment innovation, I am thrilled to have Nancy join our team,” said Don Mattrick, the president of the Interactive Entertainment Business Group at Microsoft. “Under her direction, we look forward to building and extending our creative offerings from the living room to all your devices.”