Executives

MARK PEDOWITZ
President, ABC Studios

Since being named president, ABC Studios, in April 2004 (then Touchstone Television), Mark Pedowitz has overseen the creative and business operations for the studio’s most successful seasons, shepherding an impressive slate of programming for network, cable, mobile and broadband outlets. Mr. Pedowitz’s role also includes oversight of Music for the Disney-ABC Television Group and the new media content studio Stage 9 Digital Media. He reports to Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks Unit and president, Disney-ABC Television Group.

Under Mr. Pedowitz’s leadership, ABC Studios has emerged as a leader in the development, production and strategic distribution of entertainment content across television and emerging digital platforms. As a key content driver for the Disney ABC Television Group, the studio has produced four consecutive seasons of hit programming. Multiple seasons of broadcast series “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey's Anatomy,” “According to Jim,” “Scrubs,” “Criminal Minds,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “Ugly Betty,” “Brothers and Sisters,” “Private Practice,” “Samantha Who?” and “Dirty Sexy Money” have fed the company's distribution pipelines worldwide with programming and related product lines.

Additionally, Mr. Pedowitz has expanded the studio’s cable production with Lifetime’s highest rated series, “Army Wives,” ABC Family’s “Kyle XY” and “Samurai Girl,” and the new Steven Bochco drama “Raising the Bar” on TNT. In the fall, the studio will launch its first series in first-run syndication with “Wizard’s First Rule,” based on Terry Goodkind’s bestselling epic fantasy. In addition to its scripted programming, the studio produces ABC’s late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

Mr. Pedowitz joined ABC in August 1991 as senior vice president, Business Affairs and Contracts, where he negotiated deals to acquire programming for Primetime, Daytime, Late-Night and the Saturday Morning Children’s block. He was promoted to head of the department in 1996. He was promoted to executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group, in 1999, wherein he oversaw all business, legal and financial affairs for ABC Primetime and Touchstone Television, as well as business/legal affairs for ABC Daytime.

Prior to joining ABC, he was senior vice president, Business Affairs and Administration, MGM/UA Television Production Group, a position he had held since 1987. He began his career in the entertainment industry in 1979 as an attorney at MCA, Inc., and from 1980-85 was vice president, Business Affairs, Reeves Entertainment Group/Alan Landsburg Productions. From 1985-87 Mr. Pedowitz was vice president, Business Affairs and general counsel, The Landsburg Company.