Channing Dungey Takes Over As ABC Entertainment President: Paul Lee Resigns Amid Ratings Slump

Channing Dungey has taken over as ABC entertainment president. This appointment comes directly following Paul Lee’s resignation from the position. ABC-Disney Chairman Ben Sherwood is confident that Ms. Dungey’s will steer the network in the right direction following ratings slumps for viewers 18 to 49 years-old
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There may have been a creative control issue between Mr. Lee and Mr. Sherwood that prompted Paul’s resignation. Chairman Sherwood became Mr. Lee’s boss in early 2015 and reportedly used ABC’s drop in ratings for adults 18 to 49 years-old as way to force a management change at the network.

Despite ABC’s stronghold on Thursday night with the TGIT Shonda Rimes produced lineup of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “How to Get Away with Murder” and “Scandal,” other shows have been disappointments and viewers aren’t watching. “The Muppets” and “Agent Carter” have not garnered the ratings the network had expected.

Ben Sherwood issued a statement regarding Channing Dungey’s new position with the network. The Disney-ABC chairman believes Dungey is a “gifted leader and a proven magnet for top creative talent.” Ms. Dungey has been referred to as the “Shonda Rimes Whisperer.”

At the end of the statement Mr. Sherwood thanked Paul Lee for “his many accomplishments at ABC and his devotion to the ABC brand.” Sherwood concluded the statement by saying the Disney-ABC family wished him continued success.

Paul Lee was one of the biggest supporters of ABC’s lone daytime drama “General Hospital.” It is unclear at this time what Dungey or Sherwood’s position is on the Disney-ABC daytime programming division. However, this change in the nighttime programming division should not be affect whatsoever on daytime programming at the network.

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