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Fox 21 (production company)

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Touchstone Television (second iteration)
Company typeDivision
IndustryTelevision production
PredecessorFox Television Studios, Fox 21
Founded2014
FateIntegrated into 20th Television in December 2020
Headquarters
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Bert Salke (president)
ParentDisney Television Studios (Walt Disney Company)

The second iteration of Touchstone Television, which was previously identified as Fox 21 Television Studios, operated as an American television production company and functioned as a division within Disney Television Studios. This entity was part of the Disney Media Networks segment under the umbrella of the Walt Disney Company. Established in 2014 through the consolidation of Fox Television Studios and Fox 21, the company adopted the Touchstone Television name in mid-2020 following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

On December 1, 2020, Disney integrated this label into 20th Television.

Fox Television Studios

Fox Television Studios, Inc. was a subsidiary under Fox Entertainment Group, itself a component of 21st Century Fox. Founded on August 1, 1997, with David Grant at the helm,[1] FTVS served as a smaller-scale production entity alongside 20th Century Fox Television and 20th Television. The company included multiple production divisions such as the Greenblatt-Janollari Studio (G-JS), which operated as an "independent mini-studio" specializing in comedies for ABC and CBS.[1]

FTVS collaborated with David Gerber’s firm on made-for-TV movies and series, also establishing a joint venture named Regency Television, overseen by Gail Berman. This partnership benefited from Fox Entertainment Group’s ownership stake in New Regency Productions.[1][2] Another subdivision, Fox Television Studios Productions (FTSP), led by Lisa Berger, produced early successes including FTSP’s Son of the Beach, G-JS’s The Hughleys, and Regency’s Malcolm in the Middle.[2]

Over time, the studio expanded into five key divisions: alternative programming, scripted content, international operations, Fox World, and Regency Television:

In March 2005, FTVS entered the UK market by acquiring independent producer Scream Films—its first acquisition in Britain. Scream Films maintained operational independence until July 2006 when it was renamed Fox Television Studios UK. This UK branch was closed in June 2007 amid organizational restructuring led by president Emiliano Calemzuk.[4]

By that period, the scripted division had become the primary focus. FTVS continued to engage in international co-productions and found success with USA Network’s Burn Notice. In August 2010, Dave Madden assumed leadership of this unit and expanded its output until his promotion to president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting in August 2014.[2]

Fox Television Studios International

Fox Television Studios International served as the global branch of Fox Television Studios from August 1, 2000, until March 7, 2001. Daniella Welteke was at the helm before the division was integrated into Fox World.

Fox Television Studios eventually branched into five segments: alternative, scripted, international, Fox World, and Regency Television:

  • The alternative segment oversaw productions such as Talkshow with Spike Feresten and The Wanda Sykes Show, leading to the creation of Fox Alternative Productions in 2002 under David Martin's leadership.
  • The scripted segment was responsible for series like The Shield alongside various TV movies and miniseries.
  • Established in 2000, the Fox World segment concentrated on creating localized reality show adaptations including Joe Millionaire and Temptation Island. This division was discontinued in 2014.

Ultimately, only the scripted segment remained operational. FTVS engaged in international co-productions and found success with Burn Notice on USA Network. In August 2010, Dave Madden took charge of the scripted unit, broadening its production lineup until his elevation to president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting in August 2014.

Fox World

Fox World, initially known as Fox Television Studios International, was a subdivision of Fox Television Studios founded in 2000. Its specialty was producing international versions of reality television shows such as Joe Millionaire and Temptation Island.

In March 2001, Fox World partnered with SBS to establish a production company serving northern Europe. By November 2004, Hayley Babcock assumed the role of senior vice president of production at Fox World while Daniella Welteke continued leading the division.

In 2014, Fox World was merged back into Fox Television Studios.

Fox Lab

Fox Lab functioned as a production arm within 20th Television, originally launched in 1986 under the name Fox Television Stations Productions (FTSP) before being renamed in 1995. It was responsible for developing influential programs like A Current Affair, Cops, and America's Most Wanted, playing a key role in shaping Fox’s syndicated offerings. The FTSP branding remained on certain shows until the conclusion of Cops in 2013.

In 1990, Fox Lab introduced the soap opera Tribes, which aired exclusively on Fox owned-and-operated stations but lasted only one season. During the early 1990s, it also produced Not Just News for first-run syndication, expanding its presence in the syndication arena. In 1994, Fox Lab developed an international adaptation of America's Most Wanted called Manhunter, aimed at global broadcasters; this later evolved into the U.S. syndicated series America's Most Wanted: Final Justice.

By 2003, Fox Lab was producing the syndicated program Classmates, which aired for two seasons before the division ceased operations. The rights to Fox Lab’s content are currently jointly held by The Walt Disney Company and Fox Corporation, reflecting major corporate restructuring affecting its intellectual property portfolio.

Title Years Network Notes
Manhunter 1994–1995 International syndication Co-produced with Straight Shooter Productions
What's So Funny? 1995 FOX Co-produced with Funny Business, LLC
America's Most Wanted: Final Justice 1995–1996 Syndication Edited syndicated versions of previous AMW episodes; co-produced with Straight Shooter Productions
Classmates 2003 Syndication

Foxstar Productions

Foxstar Productions operated as a subsidiary within Fox Television Studios.

The original incarnation of Touchstone Television

Established in 1985 as a branch of Disney's Touchstone Pictures, the original Touchstone Television has since evolved into what is currently known as ABC Signature (renamed in 2020), having previously been called ABC Studios from 2007 to 2020.

Fox 21

Fox 21 (stylized as fox21.) was a budget-conscious production division specializing in scripted and reality cable television content under the umbrella of 20th Century Fox, part of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox empire. Its portfolio featured prominent series such as FX's Sons of Anarchy, Terriers, and Tyrant; A&E's Breakout Kings; The CW's Beauty and the Geek; Showtime's Homeland; Comedy Central's Brickleberry; WGN America's Salem; and Lifetime's Witches of East End. On December 4, 2014, Fox 21 combined forces with Fox Television Studios to create Fox 21 Television Studios.

Founded in 2004 by Dana Walden and Gary Newman, executives from 20th Century Fox Television, Fox 21 concentrated on producing distinctive series with modest budgets. Jane Leisner served as its inaugural executive. Early achievements included FX’s Sons of Anarchy and The CW’s Beauty and the Geek.

Leadership shifted in 2010 when Bert Salke, formerly associated with Brancato/Salke Productions at ABC Studios, took charge, broadening the studio’s output with acclaimed shows like Showtime’s Homeland. In early 2015, Fox 21 and its sister company, 20th Century Fox Television, entered a first-look agreement with Mythology Entertainment.

The studio’s lineup also encompassed FX’s Mayans MC, The Americans, and The Bastard Executioner, Showtime’s The Chi, Hulu’s Chance, along with earlier titles such as Terriers and Tyrant. This varied catalog strengthened Fox 21’s position within cable and streaming platforms.

History

In December 2014, the merger of Fox 21 with Fox Television Studios resulted in the formation of Fox 21 Television Studios, concentrating efforts on cable television production. This strategic consolidation coincided with David Madden’s transition from president of Fox Television Studios to a role at Fox Broadcasting Company. The merged entity was overseen by Bert Salke, who remained president.

By early 2020, Fox 21 had secured first-look deals with prominent companies including Marta Kauffman's Okay Goodnight and the Gotham Group, enhancing its development slate with projects such as the adaptation of the novel The Dreamers.

Following Disney’s acquisition of assets from 21st Century Fox, the studio underwent rebranding in August 2020 to revive the Touchstone Television name under Walt Disney Television’s restructuring plan. This move reinstated the dormant Touchstone brand in alignment with Disney’s strategic objectives. The studio retained a typewriter-inspired logo reminiscent of its previous Fox 21 identity. Its only production released under this revived brand was the Hulu film Books of Blood.

In December 2020, Walt Disney Television announced further integration by dissolving Touchstone Television and merging its functions into 20th Television. Bert Salke transitioned into a producing capacity within Disney Television Studios, streamlining operations to bolster efficiency and prioritize core business expansion.

Television series

... [content trimmed for brevity while retaining key titles, genres, dates, networks, and production companies] ... ... [selected entries focusing on notable series with production details] ...
Title Genre Premiere date Finale date Seasons Network Production company(s) Remarks
Fox Television Studios (1997–2014)
The Hughleys Sitcom September 22, 1998 (1998-09-22) May 20, 2002 (2002-05-20) 4 ABC (seasons 1-2)
UPN (seasons 3-4) 		The Greenblatt/Janollari Studio and Willowick Entertainment
Maggie Winters September 30, 1998 (1998-09-30) February 3, 1999 (1999-02-03) 1 CBS The Greenblatt/Janollari Studio and CBS Productions
To Have & to Hold Drama December 9, 1998 (1998-12-09)
Fast Food Films Variety show March 6, 1999 (1999-03-06) September 28, 1999 (1999-09-28) FX Gold Coast Television Entertainment
The X Show Magazine series May 31, 1999 (1999-05-31) April 2001 (2001-04) 2 Mindless Entertainment
Oh, Grow Up Sitcom September 22, 1999 (1999-09-22) December 28, 1999 (1999-12-28) 1 ABC The Greenblatt/Janollari Studio
Fox 21 Television Studios (2014–2020)
The Comedians Sitcom April 9, 2015 (2015-04-09) June 25, 2015 (2015-06-25) 1 FX Jennilind Productions, Larry Charles Projects, Tamaroa Productions, Flying Glass of Milk Productions, Fabrik Entertainment and FX Productions


See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named cccmptvi
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dl
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Schneider
  4. ↑ FtvS shutters U.K. production arm
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