Nat Geo Programming Head Leaving Network

Steve Burns will exit in coming weeks; Michael Cascio to serve as interim head

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/15/2011 11:23:45 AM

Steve Burns, National Geographic Channel's EVP of global content will be leaving the network, Nat Geo President Steve Schiffman said in an internal memo to staff Friday. Burns will exit in the next few weeks, but no date was specified.

Michael Cascio, SVP production, will serve as interim head of global programming while the Board looks for Burns' successor.

"We certainly will miss Steve's significant contributions, but rest assured we will not miss a beat," said Schiffman in the memo. "We are fully committed to, and excited about, the shows in the pipeline, and in fact, I think our upfront programming slate is one of the strongest we have had in years."

Burns has not decided on his future plans, according to the memo.