The Hub, a children’s network co-owned by Discovery Communications and toymaker Hasbro, is losing its president and chief executive, reports the Los Angeles Times’ Show Tracker.

Margaret Loesch will leave the network at the end of the year. The channel has failed to make much headway against larger rivals such as Disney Channel and Nickelodeon since its launch in 2010, the piece notes.

“The departure of Loesch, a well-regarded programmer with lots of experience in the kids space, will likely set off speculation about the future strategy for the channel and the Discovery partnership with Hasbro,” the story reports.

The report adds: “The relationship between Hasbro and the Hub has been tense at times. Some former Hub executives have grumbled that Hasbro, which produces much of the content on the network, was more interested in a programming strategy that would help it sell toys versus attract viewers.”

Some have complained that shows that didn’t help sell toys were pulled, even if they received solid ratings, such as “G.I. Joe Renegades,” the story notes.

Loesch reportedly downplayed those concerns in an interview in 2013, saying Hasbro does not "tell us how to run the business."

The report adds: "Advertising has also been an issue for the Hub. Because the network is half-owned by Hasbro, many rival toy manufacturers have avoided spending money on the network. Because of that, the Hub started adding more family fare and movies in the hopes of broadening its audience and being less reliant on just kids."

The network’s most-watched shows include “My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic” and “Littlest Pet Shop.”

Margaret Loesch