It’s official: ABC Family President Paul Lee takes over ABC Entertainment

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Paul Lee, the executive who revived the moribund ABC Family channel with shows that appealed to the sensibilities of the millennial generation, has been named the new president of ABC Entertainment Group, effective immediately.

Lee will oversee creative and business operations for ABC Studios, as well as development, programming, marketing and scheduling for ABC Entertainment, the company said.

‘Paul was hired six years ago because of his great creative instincts and his ability to identify an audience and develop programming that resonates with them,’ Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney/ABC Television Group, said in a statement. ‘Those same strengths are why he was tapped for this new responsibility.’

Lee joined ABC Family in 2004 and developed original shows for young adults who were craving sophisticated yet sweet dramas. The cable network has found success with such programs as ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager,’ ‘Pretty Little Liars’ and ‘Kyle XY.’

Under Lee, ABC Family has shown six years of consecutive growth and ranks among the top five cable networks in prime time for teens and young women ages 18 to 49.

Lee assumes the helm at a time of turmoil at ABC, following the abrupt departure earlier this week of Entertainment President Steve McPherson.

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