Mike Darnell Joins Warner Bros.

BURBANK: Mike Darnell, who left his post as the president of alternative entertainment at FOX last month, is joining Warner Bros. to fill the newly created position of president of unscripted and alternative television.

The post gives him oversight of first-run syndicated series produced by Telepictures Productions as well as unscripted prime-time TV programming produced by Warner Horizon Unscripted Television, marking the first time that these two divisions have been overseen by one executive. He will also be the point person in dealings with Shed Media U.S., a division of Shed Media Group, which is majority owned by Warner Bros. International Television Production. The portfolio of shows that will fall under Darnell’s remit include The Voice—the main competitor to a show that Darnell used to oversee at FOX, American Idol—The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, among many others. Reporting to Peter Roth, president and chief content officer at Warner Bros. Television Group, he begins the new job August 12.

"No single person has had a more profound impact on the unscripted and alternative genre than Mike Darnell," Roth said. "His creative instincts, his knack for embracing and capturing the zeitgeist, and his endless desire for discovery have fueled his extraordinary success. There was simply no way we could pass up the opportunity to have him join us at Warner Bros."

Darnell noted, "When I decided to leave FOX two months ago, my hope was to be able to stretch my fingers beyond network television and into other distribution platforms. My first thought was to go into production for myself. But then my good friend Peter Roth made me an offer I couldn’t refuse—the opportunity to develop new shows and run the vast array of alternative shows that Warner Bros. already has going, which include not only some of the most successful on network television, but also an incredible presence on cable and in first-run syndication. (Peter also said it would be OK to bring my piano and shag carpet). To say I am incredibly excited about this chance to take my career in new directions (and the chance to work with Peter again) would be an understatement. I can’t wait to get started."