July 25, 2008

O'Neill To Head TLC,  Shapiro-Mathes Out

Another Change at Discovery Nets

TLC chief Angela Shapiro-Mathes is out and Planet Green boss Eileen O'Neill will succeed her, Discovery just announced. No replacement for 17-year vet O'Neill was named, although Clark Bunting will run Planet Green in the interim, a release said. The release runs in full below:


Silver Spring, Md. – David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications, today announced a change in the creative and organizational direction for TLC. As a result, Angela Shapiro-Mathes will leave her position as president and general manager of TLC, to be replaced immediately by 17-year Discovery executive Eileen O’Neill.
 
Shapiro-Mathes’ accomplishments while at TLC included a three-year deal for the network to become the new home of MISS AMERICA, which also featured a new companion reality series. She also launched a partnership with Real Simple to develop multi-media lifestyle content, signed a production deal with Kelly Ripa and returned the popular host of TRADING SPACES, Paige Davis, to the iconic series.
 
“My thanks to Angela for her hard work, leadership and passion over the past year,” said Zaslav. “She has diversified TLC’s programming mix and increased the network’s development presence in Los Angeles.”
 
“With massive reach, brand awareness and a foothold in popular programming genres including lifestyle, fashion, real estate and families, TLC is well positioned for the future,” said Zaslav. “Eileen is a proven cable programmer, and has guided one of the most successful network introductions in Planet Green. Her exceptional reputation and understanding of TLC’s passionate audience makes Eileen the perfect executive to lead TLC.”
 
O’Neill has most recently served as president and general manager of Planet Green, the first and only 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network. She is credited with launching the network from the ground up in less than 12 months, and with more than 250 hours of all-original programming. She drew an authoritative and diverse group of celebrities and personalities including Adrian Grenier, Tom Bergeron, Emeril Lagasse, Maria Menounos, Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodruff to share their passion for the planet through a host of entertaining series and specials.
 
Prior to running Planet Green, O’Neill served as executive vice president and general manager of Discovery Health Channel. In 2007, she simultaneously ran Discovery Health and TLC on an interim basis during a period of management transition at TLC.
 
Under O’Neill, Discovery Health Channel earned record ratings in all day-parts, including the strongest delivery ever during August 2005. Standout shows developed under her leadership include MYSTERY DIAGNOSIS, DR. G MEDICAL EXAMINER and JON & KATE PLUS 8, now the top-rated series on TLC. O’Neill served in previous network management capacities with Discovery Health Channel and Travel Channel. She joined Discovery Communications as an intern while working toward her graduate degree in popular culture from Bowling Green State University.
 
Clark Bunting, president of Discovery’s Emerging Networks Group, will oversee Planet Green while the company determines plans for leadership of the brand moving forward.
 
Added Zaslav: “Planet Green’s launch has been exceptional in every way. Eileen leaves the channel in an ideal position – entrenched in the marketplace, respected by advertisers and distributors and thriving on all platforms. Growing its brand strength remains a top priority for Discovery Communications.”