LOS ANGELES — Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego has announced his appointees to the Television Academy Executive Committee for 2026.
These appointees will advise Abrego and the 2026 Television Academy Board of Governors on some of the most important issues and initiatives facing the television industry while helping to shape the organization’s direction.
The Executive Committee appointees are:
- Uzo Aduba, three-time Emmy winner and Tony Award-nominated actress
- Matt Cherniss, head of programming and domestic development at Apple TV
- Jinny Howe, head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada at Netflix
- Debra OConnell, President of ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks at The Walt Disney Company
- Rob Wade, CEO of FOX Entertainment
“The next two years will be a pivotal period for both the Academy and our industry,” Abrego said. “Bringing together this extraordinary group of leaders ensures we have the experience and insight needed to guide the Academy through this moment of transformation and strengthen its role as a vital, relevant and unifying force for the creative community and the future of television.”
Additionally, the Academy’s Board of Governors has elected the following Peer Group Governors as their representatives on the executive committee for the 2026 term:
- Phil Gurin (Producers)
- David Hartle (Production Executives)
- Christina E. Lee (Public Relations)
- Sabrina Wind (Producers)
- Foundation Chair Tina Perry.
They join Chair Cris Abrego, Vice Chair Jacob Fenton (Professional Representatives), Second Vice Chair Jo DiSante (Television Executives), Secretary Megan Chao (Documentary Programming) and Treasurer Tony Carey (Producers).
Following a special election to fill seats left vacant by current Executive Committee members, Craig Wagner has been elected as a Governor of the Professional Representatives Peer Group; Dave Harding was elected as a Governor of the Documentary Programming Peer Group.
