A President Of Its OWN
Regency Television Head Schwartz Named To Leadership Role At Discovery’s Winfrey Net
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 6/18/2008 8:27:00 AM
Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications have tapped Regency Television executive Robin Schwartz as president of OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.
Beginning July 14, Schwartz will have oversight for all of OWN’s key functions, notably development, programming, production, marketing, research and communications. She also will work in partnership with advertising sales and distribution to generate revenue and broaden the value of the OWN brand.
The network, set to launch in the second half of 2009, will supplant the current Discovery Health Network in some 70 million homes. Schwartz will report to OWN’s yet-to-be-named CEO. The network's staff and operations will be based in Los Angeles.
“I look forward to working with Robin to build a network that will celebrate the best in people,” said Oprah Winfrey, chairman of OWN, in a statement.
Added Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslaz: “Robin is a talented creative leader. With her extensive production experience and industry-wide relationships, she will spearhead the development of OWN’s original programming slate for next year’s premiere, With Oprah’s editorial vision, Discovery’s global platforms and the reach of Oprah.com, Robin has tremendous tools to make OWN a trusted source of information and the definitive voice for living your best life.”
At Regency Television, a joint venture of New Regency Films and News Corp., since 2004, Schwartz served as a studio head, responsible for all aspects of development and production for scripted comedy and drama series She oversaw the production of Malcolm in the Middle and The Bernie Mac Show.
Prior to joining Regency, Schwartz was vice president of programming for ABC Family, where she played a key role in the rebranding of the cable channel.
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