Television Academy chair Cris Abrego is the co-founder and CEO of Hyphenate Media Group, a media holding company and premium content studio, which he co-founded with Eva Longoria in 2023. The entertainment venture invests in creator-led production companies and develops, sells and produces scripted and unscripted originals. As part of the partnership between the two co-founders, Hyphenate acquired the full slate of Longoria's independent production label, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, to help jumpstart its own independent studio function.

Renowned as an entrepreneur, entertainment executive, award-winning producer, showrunner and philanthropist, Abrego also serves as Chairman of the Americas for international media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, which made a strategic investment in Hyphenate Media Group to accelerate its growth.

Abrego previously served as CEO of Endemol Shine Holdings, where he grew the company aggressively by scaling several acquisitions under its banner, including Endemol Shine Boomdog, Endemol Shine Brasil and Truly Original. As co-founder and CEO of 51 Minds Entertainment in 2003, Abrego was one of the pioneers of the celeb-reality genre with breakthrough unscripted formats such as The Surreal Life and the many spin-offs it generated. He grew that company from its boutique beginnings to a major unscripted studio acquired by Endemol five years later.

Prior to being elected as chair of the Television Academy, Abrego served as chair of the Television Academy Foundation, the Academy's charitable pro-social arm, and as a member of the Academy's Executive Committee.

updated 6.10.24