Disney official hands-on at ABC
BY GARY GENTILE
Fri, Sep. 06, 2002
BURBANK, CA (Miami Herald/AP) -- ABC Television programming chief Susan Lyne was sifting through scripts last January, looking for a hit to lift the ailing network, when she fell in love with a pitch for an hourlong drama.
Any other year, the script would have been made into a pilot. But Lyne held off after consulting with Robert Iger, a former ABC president and chairman who now is president of The Walt Disney Co., which owns the network.
While he agreed with Lyne's creative assessment, Iger told her that a last-place network couldn't afford too many new serial dramas.
Rather than asking viewers to make another weekly commitment, he said, ABC should look for some shows that they can jump in and out of without feeling they've missed something.
''That's the kind of thing he has been a wonderful resource for me on, as we look at not just whether we like something, but whether it will work for the network,'' Lyne said.
When ABC's fall schedule debuts Sept. 17, viewers will see a prime-time lineup assembled by Lyne and Lloyd Braun, chairman of the ABC Television Group and Lyne's boss.
But behind each decision is Iger, who has taken a more active role in crafting the network's fall season. In part, that is because Lyne has never developed a prime time schedule. It also reflects the enormous stakes for Disney.
A lot is riding on ABC having a breakout hit, one solid night in the ratings or, at the very least, stopping the slide that saw ABC go from the No. 1 network just two years ago to third -- and fourth behind Fox in the all-important 18-49 age group.
Disney believes it has at least one potential big hit in the John Ritter comedy, 8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter. The network also has high hopes for another comedy, Life with Bonnie, starring Bonnie Hunt.
Other shows, like the time-travel drama That was Then, might take longer to build a loyal following. The network also is developing mid-season shows, including Dragnet from Law and Order producer ________ Wolf. Iger and Disney chief executive Michael Eisner have said fixing ABC is their top priority. Over the summer, Disney's stock price seesawed as investors wait to see just how successful that effort will be.
''Most investors understand it takes time to build the network,'' said Jeffrey Logsdon, an analyst at Gerard Klauer Mattison & Co.
``Getting those first improving steps would be helpful for investor confidence.''
Iger does not seem overly worried.
''I know a lot of attention will be paid from a variety of sectors to the results of ABC's new schedule,'' Iger said in an interview. ``Does it convert to pressure? Not really.''
Analysts said investors understand that the weak economy is at fault for disappointing results at Disney's theme parks and sales of stuffed dolls at its stores.
But the problems at ABC have been caused in part by poor management, in particular a decision to rely too heavily on the success of its game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
The fall season will not only determine the direction of Disney's stock, but also could seal the fate of top executives, including Iger.
Does Iger himself see his job on the line?
''It's not really a question I'm comfortable answering,'' Iger said. ``I come to work every day enthusiastic and focused and dedicated, and I give it my all.''
Lyne was promoted to president of ABC Entertainment in January after Stu Bloomberg was forced out as co-chairman because of the network's ratings slump.
Lyne showed a hot hand in crafting miniseries and specials for the network, but had never developed a prime time schedule.
Iger had more than 20 years of experience at ABC when he was named Disney president in 2000. Disney acquired the network when it bought Capital Cities/ABC in 1996. It was natural, then, for Lyne to lean on Iger for advice.
''When he first approached me, I said, `If I do this, I need to know you will be available,''' Lyne said. ``Bob never gets rattled. He's a very steady hand, and that is so important right now for everybody at the network.''
In January, Iger increased his involvement at ABC, reading scripts and consulting frequently with Lyne on pilots.
Iger said he did not get involved in casting decisions and allowed Lyne to choose which scripts to tape as pilots.
While ABC needs to show signs of improvement early in the fall season, Iger said he has assured Lyne and Braun that shows they really believe in will be given time to find their audience.
''He has said a number of times, `If you don't believe in a show, get it off quickly. If you believe in it, stick with it,''' Lyne said.
BY GARY GENTILE
Fri, Sep. 06, 2002
BURBANK, CA (Miami Herald/AP) -- ABC Television programming chief Susan Lyne was sifting through scripts last January, looking for a hit to lift the ailing network, when she fell in love with a pitch for an hourlong drama.
Any other year, the script would have been made into a pilot. But Lyne held off after consulting with Robert Iger, a former ABC president and chairman who now is president of The Walt Disney Co., which owns the network.
While he agreed with Lyne's creative assessment, Iger told her that a last-place network couldn't afford too many new serial dramas.
Rather than asking viewers to make another weekly commitment, he said, ABC should look for some shows that they can jump in and out of without feeling they've missed something.
''That's the kind of thing he has been a wonderful resource for me on, as we look at not just whether we like something, but whether it will work for the network,'' Lyne said.
When ABC's fall schedule debuts Sept. 17, viewers will see a prime-time lineup assembled by Lyne and Lloyd Braun, chairman of the ABC Television Group and Lyne's boss.
But behind each decision is Iger, who has taken a more active role in crafting the network's fall season. In part, that is because Lyne has never developed a prime time schedule. It also reflects the enormous stakes for Disney.
A lot is riding on ABC having a breakout hit, one solid night in the ratings or, at the very least, stopping the slide that saw ABC go from the No. 1 network just two years ago to third -- and fourth behind Fox in the all-important 18-49 age group.
Disney believes it has at least one potential big hit in the John Ritter comedy, 8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter. The network also has high hopes for another comedy, Life with Bonnie, starring Bonnie Hunt.
Other shows, like the time-travel drama That was Then, might take longer to build a loyal following. The network also is developing mid-season shows, including Dragnet from Law and Order producer ________ Wolf. Iger and Disney chief executive Michael Eisner have said fixing ABC is their top priority. Over the summer, Disney's stock price seesawed as investors wait to see just how successful that effort will be.
''Most investors understand it takes time to build the network,'' said Jeffrey Logsdon, an analyst at Gerard Klauer Mattison & Co.
``Getting those first improving steps would be helpful for investor confidence.''
Iger does not seem overly worried.
''I know a lot of attention will be paid from a variety of sectors to the results of ABC's new schedule,'' Iger said in an interview. ``Does it convert to pressure? Not really.''
Analysts said investors understand that the weak economy is at fault for disappointing results at Disney's theme parks and sales of stuffed dolls at its stores.
But the problems at ABC have been caused in part by poor management, in particular a decision to rely too heavily on the success of its game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
The fall season will not only determine the direction of Disney's stock, but also could seal the fate of top executives, including Iger.
Does Iger himself see his job on the line?
''It's not really a question I'm comfortable answering,'' Iger said. ``I come to work every day enthusiastic and focused and dedicated, and I give it my all.''
Lyne was promoted to president of ABC Entertainment in January after Stu Bloomberg was forced out as co-chairman because of the network's ratings slump.
Lyne showed a hot hand in crafting miniseries and specials for the network, but had never developed a prime time schedule.
Iger had more than 20 years of experience at ABC when he was named Disney president in 2000. Disney acquired the network when it bought Capital Cities/ABC in 1996. It was natural, then, for Lyne to lean on Iger for advice.
''When he first approached me, I said, `If I do this, I need to know you will be available,''' Lyne said. ``Bob never gets rattled. He's a very steady hand, and that is so important right now for everybody at the network.''
In January, Iger increased his involvement at ABC, reading scripts and consulting frequently with Lyne on pilots.
Iger said he did not get involved in casting decisions and allowed Lyne to choose which scripts to tape as pilots.
While ABC needs to show signs of improvement early in the fall season, Iger said he has assured Lyne and Braun that shows they really believe in will be given time to find their audience.
''He has said a number of times, `If you don't believe in a show, get it off quickly. If you believe in it, stick with it,''' Lyne said.