Henson TV Group taps Perth as new prexy
Exec challenged to expand slate
Perth fills the position left vacant in November 1998 when Margaret Loesch become CEO of the Odyssey Channel, a domestic cable web 22.5% owned by Henson in a partnership with Hallmark Entertainment and Liberty Media Corp.
Perth will be charged with expanding Henson's production slate for the broadcast networks, cable and syndication, said Charles Rivkin, president and chief operating officer of the Henson Co.
In addition, Perth will help expand distribution of the Kermit Channel, a Henson/Hallmark international programming joint venture.
The Kermit Channel has gained carriage in several Pacific Rim countries. With Perth in place, Rivkin hopes the channel will launch in Central and Eastern Europe and Japan.
While Rivkin and Perth said that Loesch has autonomy to run Odyssey how she sees fit, Perth will oversee Henson's investment in the cabler.
In the U.S., Henson currently has shows only on cable outlets and broadcast weblet UPN. The company's "The Master of Horror" is a pilot being considered by NBC for the fall schedule.
Succeeding with webs
Despite the difficulty independent production companies like Henson have in placing shows on the four big broadcast networks, Rivkin said he's confident Henson can succeed with the webs.
"It's a big opportunity for us," Rivkin told Daily Variety. "It's extremely realistic."
In addition to the potentially huge payday of selling a hit network show into syndication, the company could reap huge licensing fees and ancillary revenues if the show features a new character created by Henson's Creature Shop, Rivkin said.
Perth said that Henson has an advantage over other producers because Henson has built a powerful brand.
"As an indie, Henson can offer something that others can't: a rich tradition," said Perth. "When you put the Henson name next to a show, viewers know what it stands for. When a studio's name is next to a show, it doesn't mean much to people."
Tough times
But Rivkin and Perth acknowledged that vertically integrated media companies that use their own studios to supply their networks make it a difficult environment for indies such as Henson.
That's why Henson has invested in Odyssey and the Kermit Channel, to ensure outlets for its product.
Henson currently has four shows on domestic TV outlets. "Farscape" runs on Sci-Fi Channel, "Bear in the Big Blue House" is carried by the Disney Channel, "Family Rules" airs on UPN, and "Jim Henson's Animal Show" appears on cabler Animal Planet.
ITV in the U.K. airs Henson's "Mopatop Shop," a format that Henson hopes to replicate in the U.S. and in other countries.
Until July 1998, Perth was president of entertainment for USA Networks. During his tenure, USA developed original series such as "Pacific Blue" and "La Femme Nikita." He also greenlit Henson's "Farscape" for USA's Sci-Fi Channel.
Prior to USA, Perth worked at CBS, where he rose through the ranks to become senior VP of latenight and non-network programming.
From 1986 through 1989, Perth was VP and station manager of CBS-owned WBBM-TV in Chicago.
