• Variety, Friday, June 5, 2009 9 AM

Former NBC programming exec Jamila Hunter has joined The Oprah Winfrey Network as head of programming for the burgeoning company. She fills the void left by the departure earlier this year of Robin Schwartz.

"Jamila shares my passion for programming that breaks new ground and speaks to audiences in new ways," says OWN chief exec Christina Norman. Hunter's experience in helping launch a femme-centric channel with alternative, unscripted fare was probably a big factor in her hiring.

Hunter was previously senior vice president of alternative and digital programming at NBC, where she worked on Jerry Seinfeld's upcoming "The Marriage Ref," this summer's "Great American Road Trip" and the adaptation of the BBC's "Have I Got News for You." She also worked on the "Fear Factor" and "The Apprentice" and helped relaunch Bravo after NBC acquired it.

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