FOX has chosen producer Simon Andreae to succeed Mike Darnell in quarterbacking its reality programming.
The selection of the new reality chief comes five months after Darnell departed the role he held at FOX for two decades.
Andreae’s background is in cable, where he recently served as senior vice president of west coast development and production for Discovery Channel. Among his credits: “Fast N Loud” and “Naked and Afraid.”
He also recently hung his own shingle in the U.K., Scarlet Media, with backing from Sony Pictures Television.
“Not only is Simon known for innovative thinking, he’s a dynamic leader who has been a producer and a network executive on both sides of the pond, and he has the energy and drive to open a new chapter in FOX unscripted,” said Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly.
Before Discovery, Andreae worked at independent production company The Incubator, producing shows like “Science of Sex Appeal” and “Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.”
The news of Andreae’s selection was first reported by Variety.
Read More: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Broadcasting & Cable
Brief Take: Andreae’s first task is to breathe new life into and aging reality slate that includes “American Idol” and “The X Factor.”
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