• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, June 17, 2009

Steve McGowan, the top research executive at Discovery Communications before joining Nielsen, is returning to the programmer next month, a person familiar with the hire said. At Nielsen, he had been senior vice president, insights and client research initiatives. He spent 13 years at Discovery before joining Nielsen in 2003.

At Nielsen, McGowan monitored readiness for the recent digital transition, helped the company track DVR and VOD growth, and worked on measuring use of portable media devices. What his exact role will be at Discovery is unknown.

Nielsen confirmed he was leaving, and said no replacement has been lined up.

McGowan worked in research at Discovery -- rising to senior vice president -- from 1989-2002. Prior to that, he was a research manager at PBS.

Discovery did not immediately provide comment.

Last Friday, McGowan appeared on Bloomberg Radio to discuss the impact the digital transition could have on the TV business. He posts at twitter.com/SteveM_Nielsen.