David Bohrman, previously an executive at CNN, has been named the new president of Current TV, the network announced Monday.
Bohrman will begin immediately and work closely with Current's co-founders, chairman Al Gore and CEO Joel Hyatt.
Though Current has grown its viewership thanks largely to the addition of Keith Olbermann as a prime time show host and Chief News Officer, this is the second major change at the executive level in the past two weeks.
CEO Mark Rosenthal left the company in late July as Hyatt took back his old job.
Also Read: Current TV CEO Mark Rosenthal Exits -- Co-Founder Joel Hyatt Takes Over Role
Rosenthal expressed no ill will at the time, but sources inside Current did say that Hyatt's decision to reclaim his position as CEO -- which he gave up in 2009 -- motivated Rosenthal's depature. Having two CEOs simply did not work.
Like Rosenthal, Bohrman comes from a cable TV background, but while Rosenthal came over from the music and entertainment-focused MTV, Bohrman has a political history.
“Current’s mission has always been to shine a light on important issues, to spark debate and to speak truth to power," Gore said in a statement. "Earlier this year, we advanced this mission when we brought Keith Olbermann to Current and clearly stated our intent to be a truly independent, conflict-free, progressive voice in the news and political commentary arena.
"David Bohrman passionately shares our vision. He has innovation in his DNA, and he has the unique qualifications and relationships to take Current to a whole new level in programming and production."
Current has changed its programming mission a few times since it launched in 2005, but in its most recent incarnation it has targeted original, long-form programming, particularly of the political and social variety.
'Today more than ever, I think audiences demand intelligent discourse instead of shouting," Bohrman said in a statement." "They want a way to be part of the discourse instead of being passive outsiders. I have been watching what Al and Joel and Keith have been doing at Current, and I believe that Current has a real opportunity to be a truly vital medium for a new breed of savvy, intelligent viewers."
Here's the release:
San Francisco, August 8, 2011 – Current TV, the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning television network, has appointed veteran broadcast and cable television executive David Bohrman as President. Bohrman, an award winning journalist and news executive who for three decades has helmed political and special event news coverage for major broadcast and cable networks, begins his new post immediately.
Bohrman, known for his unique combination of news programming and technical acumen, will work closely with the network’s co-founders, Current Chairman and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and CEO Joel Hyatt.
“Current’s mission has always been to shine a light on important issues, to spark debate and to speak truth to power.
