Discovery unveils post-takeover team

Discovery Communications has unveiled its new management structure following its purchase of Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI), with Kathleen Finch overseeing 12 networks and Rich Ross leaving the company.

Kathleen Finch

The US$14.6bn deal to buy US cablenet operator SNI was approved by US regulators earlier this week, paving the way for a management restructure from which Kathleen Finch has emerged as the big winner.

Finch is currently chief programming, content and brand officer for all six SNI channel brands. She has bucked the trend for declining ratings in US cable by growing audiences at the likes of HGTV, Food Network and DIY Network.

As a result, she will now become chief lifestyle brands officer for the combined company, maintaining management of the former SNI channels while adding TLC, Investigation Discovery, Discovery Life, American Heroes Channel and others to her remit.

Rich Ross, currently group president of Discovery Channel and Science Channel, is leaving the company, Discovery announced last night.

Ross, the former CEO of Shine America, was a big-name hire for the factual giant when he joined in 2014 and was swiftly promoted in early 2015, but the main Discovery Channel has struggled to find break-out hits in recent years.

Rich Ross

Nancy Daniels, currently president of female-skewing TLC, will become chief brand officer at Discovery and factual, effective immediately. That will see her take responsibility for all aspects of Discovery Channel and Science Channel.

Henry Schleiff will continue as group president for Investigation Discovery, Destination America and American Heroes Channel.

Howard Lee, currently executive VP of development and production for TLC and general manager of Discovery Life, has been rewarded for his channels’ strong performance with a promotion to president and general manager of the two networks. Both he and Schleiff will report to Finch once the transaction has closed.

The two leading executives at Discovery Networks International (DNI) are also staying with the company. JB Perrette, president and CEO, will continue in the role while Susanna Dinnage will remain global president of Animal Planet in the US and worldwide, a position she took up in November.

Elsewhere, Erik Logan, currently president of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, will continue in that role and report to the OWN Venture board of directors.

Karen Leever, currently executive VP and general manager of digital media in the US, and Mike Lang, president of DNI Digital and CEO of TEN/MotorTrend, will continue in those positions for the new company, reporting to president and CEO David Zaslav.

David Zaslav

In a statement, Discovery said current SNI executives not taking up posts in the company will “participate in the integration process following close to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.”

Zaslav said: “Today’s announcement is another major milestone in combining these two fantastic companies into a new kind of media company with the most trusted portfolio of real life entertainment brands in the world.

“Upon closing, each division will have a best-in-class leader focused on quickly integrating the combined teams to create new ways for advertisers and distributors to reach highly targeted audiences at scale; capturing operating efficiencies across both companies; and driving innovation to continue telling great stories and nourishing our passionate, loyal superfans around the world across every consumer screen, service and platform.”