Discovery Executive Shuffle: O'Neill To Head Discovery, Science Channel, Velocity

Discovery Communications is shifting network responsibilities among its senior executives.

Eileen O’Neill, who was group president for Discovery Channel and TLC, will now be in charge of Discovery, Science Channel and Velocity. Individual senior executives in charge of those channels will continue to run those networks -- Debbie Myers, general manager of Science Channel and Bob Scanlon, general manager of Velocity.

Marjorie Kaplan, who ran Animal Planet, will now be group president of TLC and Animal Planet. TLC General Manager Nancy Daniels will report to Kaplan.

Henry Schleiff, group president of Investigation Discovery, Destination America, American Heroes Channel, will now add Discovery Fit & Health.

Discovery Networks' two biggest-viewing networks went in different directions in 2013. Discovery Channel was up 5% in prime-time ratings in 2013 versus 2012 to a Nielsen average audience of 1.36 million viewers; TLC slipped 2% to 1.06 million.

Other Discovery networks showed overall improvement: Animal Planet grew 12% to 757,000 viewers; Investigation Discovery was 7% to 722,000; Science Channel added on 7% to 308,000; Military Channel (which became American Heroes Channel) improved 4% to 199,000; Destination America gained 23% to 196,000; and Velocity climbed 38% to 146,000

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