In Depth
O’Neill Takes Reins at TLC as Shapiro-Mathes Exits
Discovery Communications veteran Eileen O’Neill is replacing Angela Shapiro-Mathes as head of Discovery’s TLC network.
Creative differences are being cited by insiders as the reason for Ms. Shapiro-Mathes’ departure.
Ms. Shapiro-Mathes joined Discovery a year ago and moved the headquarters of TLC to the West Coast, away from Discovery’s home in Silver Spring, Md.
Ms. O’Neill has been general manager of Planet Green, launching the environmentally friendly lifestyle channel last month.
Clark Bunting, president of Discovery’s Emerging Networks Group, will assume responsibility for Planet Green until other arrangements can be made.
Ms. O’Neill worked at TLC earlier in her Discovery career and is familiar with the brand. She helped develop one of its top shows, “Jon & Kate Plus Eight.”
Ms. O’Neill will be based in Maryland, but the company will maintain a foothold in L.A., which has been useful in building bridges to the creative community.
“Eileen is a proven cable programmer, and has guided one of the most successful network introductions in Planet Green,” said David Zaslav, CEO of Discovery Communications. “Her exceptional reputation and understanding of TLC’s passionate audience make Eileen the perfect executive to lead TLC.”
In the second quarter, TLC was the No. 24-ranked ad-supported cable network in terms of total viewers during prime time. It was down 10% among total viewers from a year ago and down 11% among viewers in the 18-49 demographic.
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