Discovery hires scheduling boss from A+E

Discovery Networks UK has hired an executive from rival A+E Networks UK as senior scheduling director for its male-skewing channel brands.

Elena Anniballi

Elena Anniballi joins the factual broadcaster in the newly created position to oversee the scheduling strategy of the flagship Discovery Channel and free-to-air networks Quest and DMax.

Anniballi will also oversee pay networks Science, Turbo, Discovery History, Shed and Travel Channel.

At A+E Networks UK, she was channel director for male-skewing free-to-air factual channel Blaze. In a previous role at A+E, she was responsible for the scheduling team managing History, H2, Lifetime and CI.

Prior to that, Anniballi spent 10 years at UKTV as programme manager for female-skewing free-to-air entertainment channel Really, and in various senior scheduling roles.

She began her career at MTV Networks UK & Europe, before moving to Channel 4 where she managed the audience research needs for E4 and Film4.

Based in London, Anniballi will report to Simon Downing, senior VP and head of factual and sport.