Rich Ross

Not to be confused with Rick Ross.

Rich Ross
Alma materUniversity of Pennsylvania
Fordham University School of Law
OccupationFormer President of Discovery Channel Discovery Channel
SpouseAdam Sanderson

Rich Ross is the former Group President of Discovery Channel and Science Channel. Earlier in his tenure at Discovery he also oversaw Animal Planet and Velocity (TV network).[1] Previously he was the Chief Executive Officer of Shine America,[2] responsible for commercial strategy of the Shine Group in the United States.[3] He was also the president of entertainment at Disney Channel, and chairman of Walt Disney Studios. When Ross was named Chairman of Walt Disney Studios in 2009, he became the first openly gay studio chief.[4]

Ross discussed his plans for Discovery Channel on January 8, 2015 at the 2015 Television Critics Association press tour that included hiring key senior level executives to oversee documentaries and specials, as well as scripted programming.[5] He had the highest-rated Shark Week ever and its most-watched July ever.[6]

  1. ^ Hipes, Patrick (March 1, 2018). "Rich Ross Out At Discovery In Exec Shakeup; Scripps' Kathleen Finch Adds To Oversight". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference former was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Rose, Lacey (October 28, 2014). "Shine America's Rich Ross to Depart". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  4. ^ "Disney's Rich Ross: Hollywood's first openly gay studio chairman". The Los Angeles Times. October 6, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  5. ^ De Moraes, Lisa (January 8, 2015). "Fake Stuff Out at Discovery Channel, Promises New Chief Rich Ross: TCA". Deadline. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  6. ^ "Rich Ross Expands Discovery Communications' Portfolio". The Hollywood Reporter. August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.