Gena McCarthy Promoted to SVP, Development and Production at Discovery Channel
November 24, 2008
(Silver Spring, Md.) Gena McCarthy, currently VP of Development and Current Programming has been promoted to SVP of Development and Production as announced today by John Ford, President and General Manager of Discovery Channel. McCarthy assumes the post previously held by Jeff Hasler, SVP of Development and Production who left the company on Friday.
"We have such a strong team that having a pro like Gena means we won't miss a beat in our content development," stated Ford. "She has that keen sense of what makes compelling programming and she's able to execute it from concept to air. I have very high hopes for her as she takes on even more of a leadership role."
"Jeff has achieved the aggressive goals of nearly doubling the content pipeline in an extremely tight timeline," stated Ford. "His creativity, energy and instincts for the Discovery Channel brand have contributed to strong ratings increases across the schedule. His infectious sense of humor and warm personality will be sorely missed, especially by me."
In the past year, the network increased original premiere hours to 120 from 72 in fourth quarter 2007. The network outpaced fourth quarter 2007 by +25% in Prime P25-54 ratings -- above History Channel, Comedy Central and truTV. These gains were driven by more viewers tuning in, and viewers watching more shows across the week -- series like DIRTY JOBS (+50%), TIME WARP (+50%), MYTHBUSTERS (+80%) and STORM CHASERS (+75%) produced double-digit gains over their 2007 timeslots.
In her new role, McCarthy will be responsible for initiating original programming ideas for the flagship network, managing primetime and daytime program development teams, supervising pilot production and developing series and special event programming concepts and formats. Most recently, she served as VP of Development and Current Programming where she led the network's overall development strategy and managed first-run productions, launching new series that include DESTROYED IN SECONDS, TIME WARP and EXTREME LOGGERS.
McCarthy joined Discovery 2008 from WE tv in New York, where she served as vice president, development and production and oversaw all original content, including My Fair Wedding, Bridezillas, and Amazing Wedding Cakes, as well as High School Confidential, Women Behind Bars and The Locator. Prior to WE tv, McCarthy spent eight years with Discovery Channel and TLC, where she executive produced some of the network's highest-rated series, including DIRTY JOBS, DEADLIEST CATCH, MYTHBUSTERS, and JUNKYARD MEGA-WARS.
About Discovery Channel
DISCOVERY CHANNEL (DSC) is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which reaches 98.1 million viewers in the US, can be seen in over 170 countries, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISAD, DISBD, DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 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.