Robert DeBitetto has been named president and general manager of A&E Network and Biography Channel, parent company A&E Television Networks announced Tuesday.
Mr. DeBitetto, who had been executive VP and general manager, will continue to be responsible for content planning, acquisition, marketing and promotion for A&E, Biography and the Crime & Investigation Network.
Since he joined A&E in 2003 as senior VP of programming, Mr. DeBitetto has taken a network saddled with an aging audience and the loss of “Law & Order” and boosted ratings and lowered the median viewer age by 15 years. He did so first with reality programming like “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” then through key off-net acquisitions including “CSI: Miami” and “The Sopranos.” And when “The Cleaner” debuts July 5, he will reintroduce original drama to the network.
Mr. DeBitetto was elevated to executive VP and general manager of A&E in 2005.
“He’s been the architect of our strategy,” said Abbe Raven, CEO of AETN.
Ms. Raven said the new promotion was “a recognition of the success they’ve had” at A&E. “It’s also a sign of faith that he will continue to grow this business. We expect that growth to continue.”
Mr. DeBitetto’s promotion creates room for other executives at the network to take on more responsibility and win promotion.
The head of AETN’s other large and growing network, History’s Nancy Dubuc, remains an executive VP for now.
“Nancy’s been in her job for over a year and has delivered incredible results. I believe Nancy has a very bright future for us ahead of her,” Ms. Raven said.