Michael Riley

Michael Riley is an international television executive, executive producer and former President, ABC Family. Under Riley’s leadership at ABC Family, the channel greatly expanded its original programming; greenlighting a record number of pilots including the breakout 2011 hit drama “Switched at Birth”, which launched as the channel’s #1 original series debut in the network’s history, along with the critical breakout hit of 2013 “The Fosters” from executive producer Jennifer Lopez. ABC Family became cable TV’s #1 network in primetime among young women for the first time in the network’s history, powered by groundbreaking original content and key acquisitions.

Under Riley, signature hit “Pretty Little Liars” recorded the network’s best telecasts ever in key demos and smashed worldwide social media records. The 2012-2013 season premieres, finales and specials held the top 5 “most social” television episodes ever. During his tenure, Riley was responsible for the first ever international channel launch for ABC Family in Canada with partner CORUS Entertainment.

Previously, Riley served as senior vice president and general manager, Radio Disney, where he oversaw the strategic and operational management of the Radio Disney network and its portfolio of 36 owned radio stations, leading them to record ratings through original multi-platform content.

Prior to that, Riley began his media career with Turner Broadcasting System in London, serving as senior vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System Europe Ltd. In this post, he was responsible for the overall strategic, brand, programming and commercial direction for Turner’s suite of European entertainment channels and led the EMEA Consumer Products teams across the region. Riley began at Turner in 1997 as part of the Business Development team, responsible for both television and new media initiatives across the EMEA region.

Riley holds an MBA from London Business School in the UK and is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario in Canada.