Discovery’s Forbes to head RTÉ

Irish pubcaster RTÉ has appointed the president and MD of Discovery Networks Northern Europe as its first female director general.

Dee Forbes

Dee Forbes has been at Discovery for more than six years, first overseeing the firm’s UK and Irish operation and then becoming president and MD of Discovery Networks Western Europe.

The Irish native will take up her new role later this year according to local reports, replacing Noel Curran.

“Although it was a tough professional decision to leave Discovery, the personal decision to return to Ireland and lead its biggest broadcaster, RTÉ, is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Forbes.

Moya Doherty, chair of the RTÉ Board, said the Discovery exec’s arrival “stands to mark a significant moment in the development of RTÉ. Not only is this the first director general in almost 50 years to be appointed externally, but she will also be the first female to hold the role.

“RTÉ is at a pivotal moment, one where the future shape and financing of public service broadcasting is being re-imagined.”

Forbes had worked at Turner Broadcasting prior to joining Discovery, overseeing channels including Cartoon Network, TCM and Boomerang.