David Lyle to Head Fox Reality Channel.

LOS ANGELES -- Former FremantleMedia Entertainment Chief to Oversee All Programming, Production, Marketing and Business Operations for New Unscripted Network

David Lyle, previously president of entertainment for FremantleMedia, will take charge of the new Fox Reality Channel, it was announced today by Tony Vinciquerra, president and CEO of Fox Networks Group, to whom he will report. Lyle, a veteran of top producers FremantleMedia and Pearson Television, and before that, a senior executive at Australia's Nine Network, is a creative producer of more than 25 years' experience who has specialized in the development and adaptation of successful unscripted formats. Lyle has spent a significant portion of his career acquiring, developing and producing unscripted programming across the United States, Europe and Australia. On its current pace, Fox Reality Channel is set to premiere in more than 17 million homes in 2005. Only four new networks in the history of cable or satellite television (FX, Fox News Channel, Animal Planet and National Geographic Channel) have surpassed 20 million homes in their initial year, according to Nielsen data.

"Fox Reality Channel is a natural complement to the studios, networks, program libraries and international operations we have around the globe," said Vinciquerra. "David's skills will prove a tremendous benefit to Fox Reality Channel as it establishes itself as a key destination within the unscripted world."

"Great reality shows leave viewers wanting more, and the Fox Reality Channel will provide more current reality favorites, more never-before-seen footage, and more new productions," said Lyle, who will serve as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager for the channel. "The Fox Reality Channel will be the place for the huge number of fans of unscripted television for whom too much reality is barely enough."

During Lyle's time at FremantleMedia, he led a team that launched and guided "American Idol" to three seasons of incredible growth. Both that program and others he guided helped to establish new ways of integrating top sponsors like AT&T, Coca-Cola, Ford, Sears and Proctor & Gamble into unscripted production. Lyle's three years atop FremantleMedia resulted in a deep diversification in programming for the company, as he produced primetime network shows and key series for major outlets including MTV, Lifetime, TLC, GSN, Pax TV and the Food Network.

Lyle took over as president of entertainment for FremantleMedia North America in 2001 after working in London for international unscripted programming powerhouse Pearson Television, where he was Worldwide Head of Acquisition and Development. While at Pearson, Lyle helped to coordinate productions across more than two dozen international territories, and acquired top U.S. and international unscripted programming formats resulting in more than 650 hours of original program production around the world. He was one of the founding members of FRAPA (Format Recognition and Protection Association), a group that brings together format creators from around the world to protect their intellectual property rights. Lyle presently serves as FRAPA Chairman.

Before coming to Pearson, Lyle served as Head of Development and Acquisitions for the Nine Network, based out of Sydney. He was among the first international broadcasters to create local versions of top formats like "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "Changing Rooms," the basis for TLC's popular "Trading Spaces" in the U.S.

A native of Sydney, Lyle was first an exploration geologist before starting in the marginally more civilized world of local television as a researcher, writer and producer. During his time at the Nine Network he executive produced the local "Today Show" before creating a number of top rated unscripted series during the early nineties. Later as a network executive, he oversaw the launch of many more series and specials while working closely with Nine's programming, promotion and sales departments.

Fox Networks Group, an operating unit of the Fox Entertainment Group, consists of the FOX Broadcasting Company, Fox Cable Networks, FOX Sports and Fox Networks Engineering & Operations (FNE&O). FOX Broadcasting Co. is one of the nation's most popular broadcast television networks, and Fox Cable Networks are collectively seen by more than 335 million cable and satellite television homes. FCN networks include FX, FSN and its 12 owned-and-operated regional sports networks; Fox College Sports; National Geographic Channel; SPEED Channel; Fox Sports World; Fox Sports en Espanol; Fox Movie Channel; action sports network FUEL and Fox Reality Channel. FCN also includes Fox Sports Enterprises, which manages Fox interests in several sports franchises, venues and leading statistical information provider STATS, Inc. FOX Sports is a leading proponent of high-definition television, and has earned more than 60 Emmy Awards for production excellence on NFL, MLB, NASCAR and other events. FNG's foxsports.com website is the fastest-growing sports information site on the Internet. A recognized innovator, Fox Networks Engineering & Operations provides physical production, transmission and facilities activities to FOX Broadcasting Co., each of the Fox Cable Networks and FOX Sports.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo of David Lyle available at the contacts below.