Discovery Communications has promoted TLC president Eileen O'Neill into the expanded -- and newly created -- role of group president, overseeing both Discovery and TLC group channels.
The announcement was made Wednesday by Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav.
The promotion of O'Neill, who in two years at the TLC helm has turned around the cable channel's ratings fortunes, comes amid an overall U.S. re-organization by Discovery.
Discovery Channel president and G.M. Clark Bunting will report to O'Neill, as will TLC chief operating officer Edward Sabin, who is also serving as interim G.M. of TLC.
Marjorie Kaplan was also named president of Animal Planet and Science Networks, with Science Channel G.M. Debbie Meyers reporting to Kaplan.
As for O'Neill, she took over a sagging TLC in 2008, but soon rode the ratings fortunes of reality hit "Jon & Kate Plus 8," using the show's huge but fleeting audience mass to promote a new lineup that included current network staples such as "Cake Boss" and "Say Yes to the Dress."
"Eileen is a home-grown Discovery talent with a 21-year track record of success that is nothing short of astounding," Zaslav said, in a statement. "Each network she led has been infused with creativity, innovation and content that breaks through the clutter of the television landscape."
Here is the full press release:
Silver Spring, Md. – Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today named Eileen O’Neill to the newly created position of Group President, Discovery and TLC Networks. The expanded role overseeing Discovery’s two U.S. flagships was part of a larger restructuring of Discovery’s U.S. networks announced by Discovery Communications President and CEO David Zaslav.
“Eileen is a home-grown Discovery talent with a 21-year track record of success that is nothing short of astounding,” said Zaslav. “Each network she led has been infused with creativity, innovation and content that breaks through the clutter of the television landscape. Most recently, her big, bold swings at TLC have transformed that network and driven it into the top 10 for women with an incredible 31 series averaging more than 1 million viewers in 2010. We’re so proud and privileged to have Eileen at this company and I am confident her leadership will drive our biggest engines – Discovery Channel and TLC – to even greater success.”
Discovery Channel President and General Manager Clark Bunting will report to O’Neill, as will TLC Chief Operating Officer Edward Sabin, who is serving as interim General Manager of TLC.
As President and General Manager of TLC since 2008, O’Neill led the network to some of the highest ratings in its history. Hit programs developed during her tenure include JON & KATE PLUS 8, 19 KIDS AND COUNTING, SISTER WIVES and SARAH PALIN’S ALASKA, as well as perennial viewer favorites CAKE BOSS and SAY YES TO THE DRESS. Prior to TLC, O’Neill oversaw the launch of Planet Green and served as General Manager of Discovery Health, where she drove the network to record ratings in all day-parts, with popular series including MYSTERY DIAGNOSIS and DR.
