| MUMBAI:
In a major realignment, John Ford is set to exit as president and general manager
of Discovery Channel in the US while parent company Discovery Communications has
announced a new structure wherein group brands targeting similar demographics
come under common leadership.
Announcing the realignment, Discovery Communications
CEO David Zaslav noted, "Across our portfolio, Discovery's US networks have
delivered solid ratings strength and revenue growth over the past year.
"With
today's announcement, we are recognizing the inherent operational efficiencies
that exist between our brands and getting the most from the exceptional creative
talent we have on our roster."
Under the new structure, Discovery
Channel and Science Channel will be grouped together under Clark Bunting as acting
president and general manager, reporting to Zaslav.
Debbie Myers will
continue as general manager of Science Channel and will report to Bunting. Investigation
Discovery (ID) now will be grouped with male-targeted networks Military Channel
and HD Theatre under the leadership of Henry Schleiff as general manager, reporting
to Zaslav. Planet
Green will now be grouped with female-targeted networks Discovery Health and FitTV,
with general manager Laura Michalchyshyn at the helm who will also report to Zaslav.
Carole Tomko, currently the general manager of Discovery Health and FitTV,
will report to Discovery's new COO, Peter Liguori and devote her full attention
to Discovery Studios as president.
Eileen O'Neill and Marjorie Kaplan
will continue in their roles as president and general manager of TLC and Animal
Planet, respectively, also reporting to Zaslav. ss | 
