Greg Meidel as chairman of its MCA Television Group.

MCA Inc. on Sunday ended a two-month search for a top TV executive by naming Fox Television executive Greg Meidel as chairman of its MCA Television Group.

Meidel, whose appointment had been expected throughout Hollywood, is president and chief operating officer of Fox's Twentieth Television unit, which oversees such activities as non-network production and distribution.

Meidel replaces Tom Wertheimer, who resigned in late August, and reports to MCA President Ron Meyer. Meidel, whose Fox contract was to have expired this coming February, said his starting date is still being worked out.

Boosting MCA's lagging television business has been a top priority for both Meyer and Edgar Bronfman Jr., chief executive of MCA corporate parent Seagram Co. In June, Seagram bought 80% of Meidel

MCA from Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial for $5.7 billion.

MCA has been weak in such areas as comedy, despite boasting the hit series "Coach."

A native of Danville, Ill., Meidel, 42, is known as a top television salesman and marketer of programs. The main question raised by Hollywood executives is how much Meidel can contribute to the creative end of the business.

But in an interview Meidel said that he can make a creative contribution, adding that his experience at Fox has given him a good feel for what works on TV.

Greg Meidel & Fox

Taken from: http://articles.latimes.com/1995-10-16/business/fi-57604_1_meidel-mca-tv

The history of 20th Century Fox and Greg Meidel

20th Television was formed in 1989 by Fox Inc. (the News Corporation unit that oversaw 20th Greg Meidel Century Fox at that time) in order to separate 20th Century Fox's television productions (which were previously handled by its 20th Century Fox Television division) from the movie studio in order to increase the latter's output.  Greg Meidel During this time, 20th Television and 20th Century Fox served as two of Fox's four main units, along with the Fox Broadcasting Company and Fox Television Stations.

Following a 1994 restructuring of Fox's television production companies, 20th Television was refocused on syndication and "non-traditional programs;" its network television division was moved back to 20th Century Fox and retook the 20th Century Fox Television name. In August 2009 Greg Meidel was named the president of Twentieth Television.

Greg Meidel & 20th Television

21st Century Fox and Greg Meidel

Just a week after spinning off as a separate company, 21st Century Fox has announced changes for its television syndication and distribution unit, 20th Television.

The group will now operate under production studio 20th Century Fox Television, separating from Fox Television Stations -- which will continue to develop and produce first-run programming. President Greg Meidel will continue to lead 20th Television.

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Greg Meidel

Previously, Meidel served as President and COO of Twentieth from 1992-1995, where he was in charge of all first-run and reality programming for network and syndication, including “America’s Most Wanted,” “Cops” and “A Current Affair.” In addition, he supervised all cable, station and advertiser sales for “The Simpsons,” “NYPD Blue” and “The X-Files.” From 1996-1998, he was Chairman and CEO, Universal Television Group, where he was responsible for all television properties, including network and first-run production and worldwide distribution of the “Law & Order” franchise and “Xena: Warrior Princess,” as well as oversight of USA Networks. Between 1979-1992, Meidel held a variety of management positions of increasing responsibility at Paramount, including Executive Vice President and General Sales Manager, Paramount Domestic Television where he was responsible for the distribution of off-net and first-run syndicated series such as “Cheers,” “The Arsenio Hall Show,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and “Entertainment Tonight.”

A graduate of UCLA, Meidel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Motion Pictures and Television. He is a member of the board of governors for the Paley Center for Media and also continues to volunteer his time as a guest speaker at his alma mater’s School of Motion Picture & Television and School of Law as well as USC’s School of Communications. Meidel is a former Chairman of NATPE, past board member of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society and a former member of the board of advisors for the School of Communications at the University of Texas.

GREG MEIDEL

GREG MEIDEL NAMED PRESIDENT OF TWENTIETH TELEVISION

NEW YORK - Greg Meidel has been named President of Twentieth Television, announced Jack Abernethy, CEO, Fox Television Stations. Reporting directly to Abernethy, Meidel will be responsible for overseeing all first-run, network and off-network programming and distribution for the syndicator and the new MyNetworkTV programming service, effective immediately.

In making the announcement, Abernethy stated, “Greg is one of the most well-liked and respected television executives and we’re pleased that he will be taking on this new role within our organization. His optimism and tenacity will be an asset to Twentieth Television during this challenging time for our industry.”

Most recently, Meidel served as President of MyNetworkTV. Prior to this, he was President of Programming for CBS Paramount Domestic Television, where he oversaw first-run programming in syndication including “Entertainment Tonight,” “Dr. Phil,” and “Judge Judy.” Earlier, Meidel served as President, COO and Partner of Massive Media Group (MMG), a technology-driven company focusing on providing digital rights management for the convergence of content and technology over the Internet.

Added Meidel, “I’m honored for the opportunity to once again lead the talented team here at Twentieth Television. This is an interesting time for our business, but thanks to the smart, hardworking individuals at this company, I truly believe that we are well poised to take advantage of every opportunity to maintain and grow our position as a leader in the syndication market.”

Previously, Meidel served as President and COO of Twentieth from 1992-1995, where he was in charge of all first-run and reality programming for network and syndication, including “America’s Most Wanted,” “Cops” and “A Current Affair.” In addition, he supervised all cable, station and advertiser sales for “The Simpsons,” “NYPD Blue” and “The X-Files.” From 1996-1998, he was Chairman and CEO, Universal Television Group, where he was responsible for all television properties, including network and first-run production and worldwide distribution of the “Law & Order” franchise and “Xena: Warrior Princess,” as well as oversight of USA Networks. Between 1979-1992, Meidel held a variety of management positions of increasing responsibility at Paramount, including Executive Vice President and General Sales Manager, Paramount Domestic Television where he was responsible for the distribution of off-net and first-run syndicated series such as “Cheers,” “The Arsenio Hall Show,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and “Entertainment Tonight.”

A graduate of UCLA, Meidel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Motion Pictures and Television. He is a member of the board of governors for the Paley Center for Media and also continues to volunteer his time as a guest speaker at his alma mater’s School of Motion Picture & Television and School of Law as well as USC’s School of Communications. Meidel is a former Chairman of NATPE, past board member of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society and a former member of the board of advisors for the School of Communications at the University of Texas.

About Twentieth Television A leader in the U.S. program production and distribution arena, Twentieth Television provides a wide array of first-run, network and off-network programming, as well as feature film packages, to the syndication and cable marketplaces. First-run programs distributed by Twentieth Television include the game show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?,” the court shows “Divorce Court” and “Judge Alex.” Off-net shows distributed by Twentieth include “Family Guy,” “24,” “COPS,” “The Simpsons,” “Boston Legal” and the fall 2009 launch of “My Name is Earl” & “Bones” followed by the 2010 launch of “The Unit” and “How I Met Your Mother.”

GR