KCETLink Board Of Directors Appoints Michael Riley As Fourth Chief Executive Officer Of The Organization

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- KCETLink Media Group, a leading national independent public broadcasting and digital media network, announced today that Michael Riley was appointed as president and chief executive officer by the organization's Board of Directors. Mr. Riley, who succeeds Al Jerome as KCETLink's fourth chief executive in its 50-year history, assumes his new position today, Jan. 5, 2015.

"After a thorough and comprehensive search from a pool of talented candidates, we are thrilled to bring Michael on board to take the reins of this great public service organization," said Dick Cook, Chairman of the Board for KCETLink Media Group. "Michael brings a strong track record in brand-defining content creation, strategic partnerships, acquisitions and digital leadership--both domestically and across international markets--which will allow him to build on the solid foundation and momentum created by the KCETLink team under Al Jerome's leadership."

"I am honored to join such a terrific and passionate team," Mr. Riley said. "This is an exciting time for KCETLink and I'm eager to drive the organization's mission and continue to provide thought provoking, quality content to our viewers across all media. I also look forward to deepening our engagement with the communities, partners and stakeholders that we serve here in Southern California, and across the country."

An accomplished international television executive with two decades of senior management experience, Mr. Riley comes to KCETLink from the Walt Disney Company, where he was formerly President, ABC Family. Over the past year, Mr. Riley has been spending time in the UK, where he previously lived for 15 years, talking with international content creators to bring groundbreaking programming to linear and digital environments.

While president of ABC Family, the channel greatly expanded its original programming; green-lighting a record number of pilots including the 2011 hit drama, "Switched at Birth," breaking launch records for ABC Family in all key demos.  The series, featuring Academy Award® winner Marlee Matlin, won the network its first-ever Peabody Award. 

Mr. Riley followed up with the ground-breaking critical hit, "The Fosters," from executive producer Jennifer Lopez, a compelling one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family of foster and biological kids being raised by two moms.

Under Mr. Riley's leadership, the popular teen drama, "Pretty Little Liars" recorded the network's best telecasts ever in key demos and smashed worldwide social media records at the time, placing it among the "most social" episodes ever.

ABC Family became cable TV's No. 1 network in primetime among young women for the first time in the network's history, and launched its first-ever international channel in Canada with partner, CORUS Entertainment.

Previously, Mr. Riley served as senior vice president and general manager of Radio Disney, where he oversaw the Radio Disney network and its portfolio of nationwide radio stations, leading them to record ratings through original multi-platform content in partnership with Disney Channels Worldwide. 

Prior to that, Mr. Riley began his media career with Turner Broadcasting System in the UK, starting within the Business Development team launching linear and digital brands across Europe and rising to the title of senior vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System Europe Ltd.

For more information on Mr. Riley, please visit kcet.org/CEO.

ABOUT KCETLINK MEDIA GROUP
The KCETLink Media Group is a national independent nonprofit digital and broadcast network that provides high-quality culturally diverse programming designed to engage the public in innovative, entertaining and transformative ways. KCET and Link TV are services of KCETLink. For additional information about KCETLink productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org. 

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SOURCE KCETLink Media Group