Deborah Adler Myers Promoted to General Manager, Science Channel and Executive Vice President, Programming, Discovery Emerging Networks
April 20, 2009
(Silver Spring, Md.) Discovery Communications announced today the promotion of Deborah Adler Myers to general manager, Science Channel and executive vice president, Discovery Emerging Networks. The announcement was made by Clark Bunting, president and general manager of Discovery Emerging Networks, to whom Myers reports.
In this newly created position, Myers will lead the development, production, scheduling, research, marketing and communications efforts for Science Channel, with direct responsibility for driving the revenue and ratings for the brand. In addition, she will continue to oversee all programming and development for Investigation Discovery, Military Channel and HD Theater.
Myers joined the Discovery Emerging Networks group in March 2008 and during her tenure, the networks have seen tremendous growth. Charged with creating brand-defining series and specials and attracting top experts and personalities to the channels, Myers landed major development and programming deals for Science Channel with Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Popular Science Magazine and physicist Michio Kaku. In addition, she brought in major new faces for Investigation Discovery, signing programming deals with Paula Zahn, Aphrodite Jones and Whoopi Goldberg.
Myers also launched more than 40 new series and specials in the past year, including 20 for Science Channel alone and has developed the largest-ever upfront programming slate in Science Channel’s history. Under her programming leadership, first quarter 2009 was Science Channel’s best quarter ever for major demos and March marked the 7th consecutive month of year over year growth. Investigation Discovery became the fastest growing network in cable, with 14 consecutive months of gains since the channel launch in January 2008 and double digit ratings growth for the target demographic.
“Debbie is an exceptional leader who has created excitement for her brands through creative deal making, rapid and smart development and unbridled enthusiasm for the networks,” said Clark Bunting, president and general manager, Discovery Emerging Networks. “In just one year, she has created great momentum, especially for Science Channel and Investigation Discovery, leading the charge as we unlock the full potential of these brands.”
About Debbie Myers
Debbie Myers joined Discovery Communications in June 2005 and has been responsible for more than 2,000 hours of content across all of Discovery’s networks. Most recently, Myers served as senior vice president, programming for Discovery Emerging Networks, where she is credited with launching more than 40 new series within a year and securing major development and programming deals with Whoopi Goldberg, Morgan Freeman and Paula Zahn. Previously, Myers was senior vice president of programming at TLC, where she launched the Little People, Big World franchise and created more than 500 hours of original content for the network. During her tenure at TLC, Myers oversaw the creation of LA Ink, Say Yes to the Dress, Big Medicine, Take Home Chef and Take Home Handyman and also managed continuing series including What Not to Wear, Miami Ink and A Baby Story. Prior to joining Discovery, Myers ran her own production company, Aha! Entertainment, where she created series and pilots for NBC, Paramount, VH-1 and 20th Television. Myers was also instrumental in launching several cable networks, including E! Entertainment and Oxygen. She served for eight years as vice president of programming and development at E!, where she created and ran 17 signature series, including the Emmy Award-winning Talk Soup and E! News. Myers is the former Governor of the Production Executives group of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.