The Television Academy’s Board of Governors has elected Cris Abrego as its chairman. Abrego was elected to a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024, and succeeds Frank Scherma of RadicalMedia, who has served since January 2019.
The Academy also announced its newly elected officers and governors who will serve on the board for the 2024-2025 term.
A creative entrepreneur, entertainment executive, award-winning producer and philanthropist, Abrego is the CEO of the recently launched Hyphenate Media Group, a media holding company and premium-content studio he co-founded with his longtime collaborator, Eva Longoria. He has served on the Academy’s executive committee and as chairman of the Television Academy Foundation since 2021.
Throughout his career, Abrego has overseen multiple independent production studios, most recently on behalf of international media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, where he continues to serve as chairman of the Americas. Previously, Abrego held the position of CEO of Endemol Shine Holdings where he expanded the company significantly by scaling several acquisitions under its banner, including Endemol Shine Boomdog, Endemol Shine Brasil and Truly Original.
As co-founder of 51 Minds Entertainment in 2003, Abrego is credited as an early architect of the unscripted television genre. He grew that company from its boutique beginnings to a major unscripted studio acquired by Endemol five years later.
Over the course of two decades, Abrego has been responsible for thousands of hours of content across more than 200 series for network, cable and streaming television.
“I am honored to step into this role and feel the significant weight of responsibility in leading the Television Academy into the future, especially in this transformative moment in our business,” said Abrego. “Our members represent one of the most powerful and exciting industries in the world–our content drives local and global economies and has a formative impact on our culture. As the entertainment ecosystem continues to undergo seismic shifts, I look forward to linking arms with our new officers and governors to lead our Academy and support our membership as we forge the path ahead together.”
The incoming officers, elected by the Board of Governors, who will serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025, are: Sharon Lieblein, vice chair; Rickey Minor, 2nd vice chair; Allison Binder, secretary; and Ann Leslie Uzdavinis, treasurer.
Similarly, the Academy’s newly elected governors will serve a two-year term through 2025, along with their peer group co-governors who continue to serve two-year terms ending on Dec. 31, 2024. Among this mix are, for example, newly elected Directors Peer Group governor Anya Adams and continuing governor Mary Lou Belli; newly elected Cinematographers Peer Group governor George Mooradian, ASC, who will serve with continuing governor Patrick Cady, ASC; newly elected Picture Editors Peer Group governor Nena Erb, ACE who serves alongside continuing term governor Robert M. Malachowski Jr., ACE; newly elected Commercials Peer Group governor Charlie McBrearty and continuing governor Yvette Cobarrubias; newly elected Producers Peer Group governor Sabrina Wind and continuing governor Tony Carey; newly elected Documentary Programming Peer Group governor Dawn Porter and continuing governor Megan Chao; newly elected Special Visual Effects governor Eddie Bonin and continuing governor Derek Spears; and newly elected Writers Peer Group governor Nicole Demerse and continuing governor Lynn Renee Maxcy. There are 31 Peer Groups in all.
Additionally, the Television Academy has added the title of CEO to its president and (now) CEO Maury McIntyre, renewing his contract through 2026. Chief financial officer and (newly named) chief operating officer Heather Cochran, and chief marketing officer and SVP of Media & Brand Management Susan Spencer extended their contracts through 2025.
