MUMBAI: Brooke Runnette has been named National Geographic Television (NGT) president, succeeding Maryanne Culpepper.

Runnette will report to National Geographic Society chairman, CEO John Fahey.

Runnette recently joined the National Geographic Channels from archrival Discovery, where she was executive producer and director of development for specials, including Shark Week. She will transition over the next month from her current position as vice president, development and special projects, at the Channels into the role at NGT.

Fahey said, "Our top priority at National Geographic Television is finding and producing the best content and original programming to support the international growth and influence of our cable channels around the world. Brooke joined the National Geographic Channels just as we were searching for the right executive to lead our television production group, and we quickly realized that she was the perfect fit for that key role - with the passion, drive, experience and industry knowledge that can continue and build the National Geographic Television franchise. Brooke?s track record speaks for itself, and we are excited to have her on our team."

NGC CEO David Lyle said, "We were thrilled to have Brooke join National Geographic Channels, and this next step will further our important partnership with National Geographic Television. The role of NGT in expanding upon our recent success will be critical, and Brooke is exactly the partner we will need to make this happen."

One of Runnette?s first assignments at the National Geographic Channels was related to the network?s 2013 series ?The 80?s: The Decade That Made Us?, from Jane Root?s Nutopia, and she will continue to executive produce this important series as she transitions to NGT.

Runnette will oversee series, special events and live programming that bring the stories of National Geographic?s scientists, explorers and unique storytellers to the National Geographic Channels. Her vast experience and reputation with the best nonfiction producers and production companies worldwide will enable her to deliver creative, groundbreaking content.

While at Discovery, Runnette put greater emphasis on natural history as part of Shark Week and increased ?Shark Week? ratings. Under her direction, the 2010 ?Shark Week? was the highest rated in the 23-year history of the annual event. She also led efforts within Discovery to work more closely with scientists and conservation organisations such as Oceana and the Pew Charitable Trust?s Global Shark Conservation group.

MUMBAI: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) is creating a programme commissions and content hub in the UK.

NGCI is in the process of recruiting a commissioning team who will report to Hamish Mykura and be based in the
London office. Earlier in March, NGCI had appointed Mykura as executive VP, head of international content.

The move is aimed at NGCI?s strategy of boosting international production to suit audiences across the globe.

Said NGCI CEO Hernan Lopez, "Moving our international programming to London under the leadership of Hamish Mykura is part of our continuing expansion and commitment to increasing international production of high-quality
programming that resonates with audiences across the globe".

The London office will now be the main hub for the commissioning of series and single shows, which are for broadcast primarily on National Geographic Channel (NGC) outside of the US in 172 countries and to over 335 million homes.

Mykura said, ?NGCI?s London commissioning hub is a massive vote of confidence in the UK production sector. The independent production community in the UK is a world leader in factual television and locating our commissioning and programming here is the ideal way to capitalise on it?.

Mykura?s programming vision includes a balance of topics with a combination of epic specials and strong series that leverage the strength and breadth of the brand as well as focusing on character-led series with a factual-entertainment sensibility.

?If we generate international hits they will also play on the channel in the US. We are ambitious to make bigger series and more entertaining programmes and we want producers to bring their best ideas to National Geographic Channel as the first port of call,? said Mykura.

The creation of the UK hub follows on the heels of the recent announcement by National Geographic Channels US extending development teams in New York and Los Angeles alongside Washington, DC.

The new London team will also have an important role in feeding new ideas and information back to the team in the US under both NGC US CEO David Lyle and NGC president Howard Owens.

MUMBAI: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has appointed Hamish Mykura as EVP, head of international content effective early 2012.

The announcement was made by NGCI, Fox International Channels CEO Hernan Lopez. Mykura will also serve as the London Head of Global Development for National Geographic Channel.

Mykura will oversee all editorial development and production for NGCI, working closely with local programming teams and reporting to Lopez. He will also help spearhead NGCI?s success across the globe in 165 countries and provide supervision for its portfolio of networks: NGC, NGC HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Wild HD, and Nat Geo Adventure.

As London Head of Global Development, he will be responsible for bringing projects from UK-based production houses to NGC?s global commissioning team in Washington, DC, and in respect to this role he will report toNGC US EVP of content Michael Cascio.

Lopez said, "With more than 20 years of experience in the television industry, Hamish brings outstanding insight and vision to NGCI. Working closely with NGCI regional programmers and UK-based production houses, Hamish will build upon a solid foundation to bring new viewers to the National Geographic brand."

National Geographic Channels US and Global Programming CEO David Lyle said, "Expanding our development presence in the UK is key to our strategy of reaching out to the production community globally and forming more partnerships to produce the best programming for our channels. Hamish is the perfect person to be leading this charge for us in the UK."

MUMBAI: Howard T. Owens has been named National Geographic Channels president US, succeeding Steve Schiffman. The announcement was made by National Geographic Channels US and global programming CEO David Lyle.

Lyle also named Courteney Monroe to the newly created position of CMO for the US Channels. Michael Cascio has been elevated to executive VP, programming for National Geographic Channel US. Owens and Monroe will report to Lyle; Cascio to Owens.

Lyle said, "I am delighted to have superb executives like Howard, Courteney and Michael in these critical roles for our networks as we build on the success of our highest-rated summer in NGC‘s history. I have known Howard for more than a decade, and I am confident he is the right person at the right time to take our network into our next era. His leadership, creativity, passion and vision are unmatched in this business, and is just what we need to drive our networks forward."

Owens will work closely with CEO Lyle on the overall supervision of the domestic channels ? which include the National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo ? owned jointly by the Fox Networks Group and the National Geographic Society.

Owens will oversee the programming, development, communications, research and business affairs units at the U.S. networks as well as working closely on the strategic business efforts of the networks‘ ad sales and affiliate teams. Schiffman plans to stay at the network through a transition period.

MUMBAI: David Lyle has been named National Geographic Channels (NGC) US CEO and assumes responsibility for global programming.

The appointment, which is effective immediately, was announced by the National Geographic Channels board, to whom he will report.

The veteran television executive has been working with the National Geographic management team as the head of West Coast development for several months. National Geographic Channels President Steve Schiffman will report to Lyle.

In his new role, Lyle will be responsible for the overall supervision of the domestic channels ? which include the National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD and Nat Geo Mundo ?owned jointly by the Fox Networks Group and the National Geographic Society.
 
Since launching in January 2001, the National Geographic Channel has made strong progress. NGC has had seven consecutive years of ratings growth, something no other network has achieved since NGC?s launch. NGC also outperformed the national cable TV marketplace in revenue and CPM growth for nine consecutive years.

National Geographic Society president Tim Kelly said, ?David brings extensive creative experience and a strong international perspective to this critical role,? . ?He will be focused on delivering compelling popular programming that reflects, enhances and delivers on the substance of the National Geographic brand and mission. We are delighted to have him on our team.?

Lyle will be based in Washington, D.C., where the Channels are headquartered.

Lyle, who has been with Fox since 2005, previously served as Fox Look president, a unit specialising in the international licensing and production of reality formats, and the Fox Reality Channel, a national cable outlet dedicated to unscripted programming.