http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985343.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
Posted: Thurs., May 8, 2008, 3:33pm PT

McPherson signs new ABC deal

Exec inks new multi-year deal
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

ABC Entertainment prexy Steve McPherson will remain with the Alphabet net.
McPherson has inked a new multi-year deal with ABC that keeps him in charge of the net's successful entertainment division.

Move follows weeks of speculation over whether McPherson would remain with the network, where he helped bring about one of the biggest primetime comebacks in recent TV history.

Under McPherson, ABC went from fourth place to a solid 2nd (behind "American Idol"-fueled Fox) and has won the November sweep among adults 18-49 over the past three years.

Disney/ABC Television Group co-chairman Anne Sweeney announced McPherson's new pact late Thursday.

"Steve is one of the most influential programmers of his generation," Sweeney said. "Under his leadership ABC has become a primetime powerhouse. His ability to identify talent and develop successful shows is second to none, and that, combined with his marketing savvy, has helped turn ABC Entertainment around."

McPherson took over as ABC Entertainment prexy in 2004; before that, he was president of Touchstone Television (now ABC Studios).

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985343.html

A most well deserved contract extension for this fine gentleman who has turned around ABC.

Further contract details from tvweek.com:

quote:

Details of the contract were not released, and Mr. McPherson declined an interview request. However, a person familiar with the agreement said the new deal includes provisions giving Mr. McPherson plenty of leeway to leave the network if his reporting structure changes in any significant way during the next four years.


That provision protects Mr. McPherson if Ms. Sweeney were to leave her current position or if Disney decided to bring in other executives to serve above or alongside him.

quote:

Originally posted by dumont:
A most well deserved contract extension for this fine gentleman who has turned around ABC.

And yet at the same time, made so many stupid moves that ABC probably deserves to be in 3rd of 4th place.

I think he's done a fine job! Congrats! Well deserved!