A+E Names DeBitetto to New Post Running Studio

Hoogstra, McKillop, Sharenow, Bennett put in charge of networks

By Jon Lafayette -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/3/2013 2:52:41 PM

A+E Networks is giving A&E Network head Bob DeBitetto a new role at the company and promoting the programming heads of its three big networks to general managers.

The company also officially announced that BBC executive Jana Bennett has joined the company to run its Bio and LMN channels.

DeBitetto has been given the new title of president, brand strategy and business development, A+E Studios, reporting to the company's new CEO Nancy Dubuc. A+E Studios will create content across all networks and platforms, said the company, which has increasingly turned to original programming in primetime.

Under the new management structure, Dirk Hoogstra will be executive VP and general manager of History and H2; David McKillop will be executive VP and general manager of A&E; and Robert Sharenow will be executive VP and general manager of Lifetime. In addition to programming and development, the networks' marketing and brand development teams report to the new GMs.

"These are the people who have led their teams to some of the biggest successes on television over the last two years," Dubuc said in a statement. "I am extremely pleased that we are entrusting them to take our flagship brands into the next phase of our success. I am also thrilled that Bob will be overseeing A+E Studios -- leading the charge for original content, working with evolving models and shaping the future of our company across all platforms."