Tom Ascheim Steps Down as President of Disney Owned Freeform Network
Tom Ascheim has been president of the Walt Disney Company owned network Freeform for six and a half years. Freeform is a network that airs reruns of shows and feature films and made-for-tv movies. It’s target audience is young people between the ages of 14 and 34. The network itself has been in existence since 1977 and under the Disney umbrella since 2001.
D Dipasupil/FilmMagic Tom Ascheim
According to an article from Realscreen, Ascheim will remain acting president until June. He will then move over to WarnerMedia where he will head up the Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics division as president.
This new division will include Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, and TCM. He will also oversee the animation studios for Cartoon Network and Warner Bros animation.
Ascheim joined Freeform in 2013 and was involved in original programming, sales and operations and the creative direction of the channel. Freeform itself started as a religious network and has undergone several transformations over the years finally settling with the current identity with Disney. The most recent transformation was in 2016 and under Ascheim’s direction.
Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff made a statement in a Hollywood Reporter article, “I am excited that Tom will be joining Warner Bros. He is an excellent executive and collaborative leader with an impressive track record and deep experience in the kids and young adult worlds. I had the benefit of seeing Tom’s skills firsthand when we were at Nickelodeon and really look forward to working with him again,” (Hollywood Reporter)
Ascheim’s successor has not been named and he apparently did not leave Freeform under any negative feelings. There is no indication Disney’s Freeform network will change its programming or its target on young adult/teenage audience. Freeform can be watched for free online here.
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