McPherson leaves ABC, replaced by Paul Lee

Steve McPherson has resigned as president of ABC Entertainment Group and has been replaced by ABC Family boss Paul Lee.

The move will be heralded by the international TV community as Lee, a Brit and former BBC exec, has commissioned a raft of international coproductions and acquired a number of international series for the youth skewing US cable network.

McPherson has had mixed results as boss of both the ABC network and its production studio; Lost and Desperate Housewives have been huge successes both in the US and internationally, but he has failed to replace them and has struggled with recent series including recent cancellations FlashForward, Happy Town and Hank.

He said he will expand his liquor business before launching a media company. “While I will continue with my ongoing wine business, I’ll also reveal plans for my involvement in a new media company,” he says. “I want to thank the wonderful team of individuals who have worked with me throughout my time here and wish them nothing but the best.”

Lee, who was previously chief executive of BBC America, joined ABC Family in 2004 and has found success with series including Greek, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, British reality series Brat Camp and Canadian comedy Sophie.