Joel Andryc

Joel Andryc, executive vice president, programming & development, ABC Family Channel, oversees the tween and teen programming and development of the live-action and animated series for ABC Family Channel.

Andryc’s leadership has played a prominent role in establishing ABC Family as a destination for tweens and teens by launching original programming such as: the Emmy-nominated, critically-acclaimed "Angela Anaconda"; "S Club 7," which stars the teen musical sensation S CLUB 7 who recently landed a top-ten hit with Interscope Records; as well as live-action music specials and series including "Front Row Center," "Total Access 24/7," "The Great Pretenders," and "Moolah Beach." In the last two years these series have contributed to the channel’s tremendous daytime ratings growth with Teens 12-17 (+137%), Tweens 9-14 (+76%) and Kids 6-11 (+24%). Among all ad-supported cable competition, ABC Family has been the fastest-growing network in both ratings and total viewers among both teens and female teens for the last two quarters (3Q01 and 4Q01).

Andryc is also responsible for the recent launch of "Braceface," an animated series executive produced by and featuring the voice of Alicia Silverstone and "So Little Time," a prime time live-action sitcom starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. These two new star-powered family comedies capture the exhilarating and often mortifying moments of teenage life and have repeatedly out-delivered all key competition since their Summer, 2001 debut.

In addition, Andryc has secured high-profile talent to drive Fox Kids Fall 2001 lineup, including the animated "Alienators: Evolution Continues," based on the feature film ‘Evolution,’ directed and produced by Ivan Reitman (‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘Road Trip’) and "The Ripping Friends," created and directed by John Kricfalusi ("Ren & Stimpy").

Andryc joined Saban Entertainment in 1987 as director of development for first run syndication and was instrumental in propelling the company’s rapid growth and expansion. In 1989, Andryc created and developed the NBC series "Camp Candy" with the late John Candy, which won the prestigious Humanitas Prize. Andryc also packaged and produced prime time specials such as "Who Murdered JFK?" and "Terrorism: USA!" These top-rated, live television events were hosted by Pulitzer Prize winner, Jack Anderson.

Prior to joining ABC Family Worldwide, Inc., Andryc, worked for Chuck Barris Productions on a number of classic game shows including "The Dating Game" and "The Newlywed Game." He then joined Goodson-Todman Productions, the company responsible for hit game shows like "The Match Game," "The Price is Right," and "Family Feud" before going to work in the acquisitions department of Viacom where his responsibilities included the acquisition of off-network series, television movies and theatrical feature films for syndication. Andryc also served as director of development for first-run syndication at Columbia Pictures Television.