Owens steps down from Nat Geo

Howard T Owens will leave his role as president of National Geographic Channels (NGC) in the US in June after two and a half years in the job.

Howard Owens

Owens joined NGC in November 2011, leaving the Reveille production company he co-founded with Ben Silverman in 2002, to replace Steve Schiffman.

He was charged by incoming CEO David Lyle with repositioning Nat Geo as a channel based on series and specials rather than one-off docs as it had been previously.

During his time with the channel he oversaw the commissioning of hit returnable series Wicked Tuna, Brain Games, Ultimate Survival Alaska and Life Below Zero.

Nat Geo also achieved notable success in event programming with SEAL Team Six and The ’80s: The Decade That Made Us, and pushed into factual-based drama with Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy and the forthcoming Killing Jesus.

The network also opened a UK production hub, led by former Channel 4 factual chief Hamish Mykura, in May 2012.

Owens’ departure in June was confirmed today by CEO of NGC US David Lyle who said: “Howard injected remarkable energy into the National Geographic Channels brand. He has been an invaluable member of our leadership team and we wish him nothing but the best in his future business endeavours.”

Owens said he was “ready for my next adventure” but details of his next career move have yet to be revealed.