Discovery ups exec for Food, Cooking

Discovery has promoted one of its senior execs to oversee programming and development for US cablenets Food Network and Cooking Channel.

Todd Weiser

Todd Weiser becomes senior VP of programming and development, reporting to the networks’ president, Courtney White.

Weiser joined Food Network in 2013 as VP of programming and development and has worked on shows including Holiday Baking Championship, Halloween Baking Championship, Christmas Cookie Challenge and, most recently, the relaunch of Restaurant: Impossible.

Prior to that, he was director of programme development at Animal Planet, where his credits include Finding Bigfoot, Gator Boys and Too Cute!. The exec has also had stints at US-based Picturehouse/Newmarket Films.

Weiser’s promotion is the latest in a string of commissioner moves at the US factual giant following its buyout of Scripps Networks Interactive and its collection of US cablenets, including Food Network and Cooking Channel.

Jane Latman was promoted to lead lifestyle network HGTV following Allison Page’s move to the Magnolia joint venture between Discovery and Fixer Upper pair Chip and Joanna Gaines.

Matthew Butler subsequently took on Latman’s previous role running Travel Channel earlier this week.