Fox Television Group chief operating officer Joe Earley has stepped down from his position, effective at the end of the year. He has been with the company in a variety of roles for 21 years, becoming COO of the television group in August of last year. As of right now there are no plans to replace Earley.

“PBS NewsHour” has made three additions, bringing in Rhana Natour, Pamela Kirkland and Julie Percha as producers. Kirkland and Percha join from The Washington Post, and Natour comes from ABC News.

NBC has named Chris Hardwick host of its upcoming game show “The Wall,” which is from LeBron James‘ production company SpringHill Entertainment. Hardwick also serves as host of Comedy Central’s “@Midnight” and AMC’s “Talking Dead.”

Actress Jessy Schram has joined the cast of ABC’s “Nashville” in a recurring role, playing a singer-songwriter. Schram most recently appeared in “Falling Skies.”

Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh is the latest to join Showtime’s upcoming “Twin Peaks” revival, according to multiple reports, although as always with this project the details about her character remain a secret. Leigh’s most recent TV roles include “Revenge” and “Weeds.”

Cable network Fusion has named Sam Ford vice president of innovation and engagement, working in the network’s New York office. Ford will also continue in his role as a research affiliate at MIT.

HBO has added Stephen Tobolowsky to the cast of its comedy “Silicon Valley,” in a recurring role as an aggressive chief executive officer. Tobolowsky also appears on ABC’s “The Goldbergs.”

McCann Worldgroup has named Alex Lubar chief executive officer at McCann London, taking over for the departed Zaid Al-Zaidy. Lubar, who officially begins in January, was previously McCann’s global chief marketing officer.

Full-service agency Erwin Penland has made two moves, including promoting Kevin Purcer to executive vice president and creative integration director. He had been senior vice president and director of digital strategy. The agency has also brought in Danny Miller, naming him vice president and senior content producer. Miller was previously a senior producer at Saatchi & Saatchi.

Meredith Xcelerated Marketing has promoted Georgine Anton, naming her executive vice president and general manager. Anton had been executive vice president and chief client officer.

Maury Giles has been named a lead strategist at Heart+Mind Strategies, a strategic research and consulting firm. Giles joins from Ipsos, where he founded the strategic consulting group Strategy3.

InterMedia Advertising has named Carrie Bergman vice president of radio affiliate sales, working with the company’s CPM Radio arm. Bergman previously ran her own agency, Parker and Hunter Advertising.

Fred Mitchell, a sports reporter and columnist who worked at The Chicago Tribune for more than 40 years, is stepping down from his position as a part of the paper’s most recent voluntary staff reduction plan. The 67-year-old Mitchell doesn’t plan to retire, however, saying he will pursue other options.

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