Rich Ross is leaving his post as CEO of Shine America, almost two years to the day that he was selected to succeed Carl Fennessy in the role, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
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Ross, who was previously at Nickelodeon, FX Networks and Disney, was hand-selected by Shine founder Elisabeth Murdoch in fall 2012 to begin in January 2013.
He is expected to accept a top programming job at Discovery Communications, according to reports.
Also read: Endemol Prez Tim Hincks Tapped as President of New Shine-Core-Endemol Group
Shine is undergoing a big change of its own, as the media company will be combined with Endemol and Core Media in a joint venture, owned by 21st Century Fox and Apollo. On Monday, Endemol President Tim Hincks was named president of the new entity.
The new company will have creative operations in over 30 markets, with a portfolio of more than 600 revenue-generating formats in both the scripted and non-scripted genres, as well as digital, gaming, and distribution operations.
Completion of the transaction — which is still subject to regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions — is expected at the end of this calendar year. Prior to that, Endemol, Shine and Core will continue to operate as separate entities. Upon completion, Core will retain its own capital structure.
Also read: 21st Century Fox, Apollo Finalize Deal Combining Endemol, Shine Group and Core Media
Variety first reported the news of Ross’s exit and likely landing spot.
Shine and Discovery did not respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.