Beth Hoppe to Head Programming at PBS

Former exec John Wilson moves to pledge strategy and special projects

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/11/2012 1:50:26 PM

PBS is shaking up its programming department, promoting Beth Hoppe to chief programming executive and general manager, general audience programming.

She will report to PBS COO Michael Jones. Former programming head John Wilson, who has been with PBS since 1994, becomes senior VP, pledge strategy and special projects.

"As we continue to execute on our strategic plan to revitalize our content, strengthen stations, and encourage innovation, we are evolving our structure to better enable us to execute against our priorities and capitalize on opportunities," said Jones in a statement.

Hoppe joined PBS in 2011 from Discovery Studios and prior to that she was president and CEO of Optomen Productions (USA). At PBS she has shepherded documentaries on Steve Jobs, the Titanic and the Cuban Missile Crisis. In her new role she will be responsible for creating PBS' primetime content strategy and building on hit series like Sherlock and Downton Abbey.