Diller names new president of usa networks
- Select a language for the TTS:
- UK English Female
- UK English Male
- US English Female
- US English Male
- Australian Female
- Australian Male
- Language selected: (auto detect) - EN
Play all audios:
Barry Diller has recruited a television station entrepreneur to become president and chief operating officer of USA Networks Inc. in a move that could presage a greater emphasis within the
company on the struggling broadcasting group. Barry Baker, who resigned earlier this month as the acting chief executive of Sinclair Communications, is Diller’s highest-level appointment and
would bring executive depth to USA after a period of fast expansion. Though Diller has amassed assets with a market value of nearly $18 billion, the company has yet to deliver on the
cross-promotional and production promises. Analysts and industry executives speculate that Baker’s appointment is a precursor to a big station or network play for USA Networks. Diller has
had discussions over the last year about buying the CBS network or merging with NBC. He is rumored to have looked at the radio and television giant, Chancellor Media, which sources say is
having trouble getting its target price after putting itself up for sale last month. “You can’t rule anything out,” said Baker, 46. MORE TO READ