Steven Tann serves as vice president, Current Programming, ABC Studios, overseeing 18 network and cable programs for the television production studio of the Walt Disney Company. He reports to Julia Franz, executive vice president, ABC Studios, which is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group and a division of the Walt Disney Company.
As head of Current Programming, Mr. Tann oversees a team of executives who manage the daily creative operations and are tasked with maintaining the superior quality of the studio's primetime programming. Mr. Tann is also part of the executive team overseeing brand management of the current series, including line extensions and off-net opportunities.
Mr. Tann joined ABC Studios in his current position from 3 Arts Entertainment, where he built and ran the television department. In that role he developed a broad range of comedies and dramas, including the critically acclaimed "Everybody Hates Chris," and was responsible for packaging and developing a Chris Kattan pilot for ABC. Prior to that, Mr. Tann served as senior vice president, Creative Affairs, and head of West Coast Television for New Line Cinema. He developed the television department, attracting 15 development projects and selling 10 pilots in the first season, including the acquisition and packaging of "Kitchen Confidential" with Darren Star.
Mr. Tann also served as senior vice president, Creative Affairs at Columbia-TriStar Television, where he oversaw current programming and development. During his nine-year tenure at the studio, he secured overall deals with new writers, specialized in packaging writers and producers, and successfully supervised pilots and series. He started with the company as manager, Development, Mini-Series and Movies, where he supervised the story department. Before TriStar, Mr. Tann was head of Current Programming at Spelling Television, responsible for over 150 hours of primetime programming a year, including successful runs of "Melrose Place" and "Beverly Hills 90210." He started his career in entertainment as a talent agent trainee at Triad Artists. Mr. Tann is also a trained investment counselor.
For over 20 years, ABC Studios (formerly Touchstone Television) has established itself as a leader in television development and production. The studio's 2007/08 lineup includes 23 broadcast and cable programs on six networks, including the international franchise hits "Lost," "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy," as well as the new hit sensations "Ugly Betty" and "Brothers & Sisters."
Mr. Tann is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Business Administration.