Sharenow upped in A+E revamp

A+E Networks is rejigging its senior management team again, with Rob Sharenow expanding his channels portfolio and a former MTV exec being drafted in for History.

Rob Sharenow

Sharenow, most recently exec VP and general manager for A&E and Lifetime, will now also oversee History after being named president of programming at A+E Networks.

With a remit covering all content for A+E’s channels, he will take on most of the responsibilities of Jana Bennett, the former History president who left the broadcaster in May to launch her own prodco.

Sharenow will also work closely with Paul Buccieri, whose remit covers business and commercial operations with A+E’s networks.

Meanwhile, ex-MTV head of development Eli Lehrer, who previously worked at A+E with Lifetime, becomes exec VP of programming at History. Lehrer has previously overseen franchises including Project Runway and will now work across development, creation and execution of scripted and unscripted.

Lehrer reports to Sharenow, as does Lifetime head of programming Liz Gateley and A&E’s equivalent, Elaine Frontain Bryant.

In May 2016 Lehrer exited A+E Networks to join Viacom and oversee the creative output of MTV2 but he left in March this year as part of an exec restructure. Addtionally, senior VP of programme planning and acquisitions Thomas Moody has been upped to exec VP of programme strategy and acquisitions at A+E Networks, reporting to Sharenow.

Paul Cabana, meanwhile, takes on the new role of exec VP at Biography and History Digital. He reports to Sean Cohan, president of international and digital media at A+E.

Nancy Dubuc, president and CEO at A+E, said “streamlining” the creative structure “under Rob combined with Paul’s business leadership will allow us to accelerate our creative decisions, deal-making and strategies.”

“Together with Elaine, Liz, Tom and now Eli returning home to A+E Networks, Rob’s programming team has a wealth of experience and some of television’s biggest hits in cable under their belts.”