Veteran A+E Studios executive Bob DeBitetto will leave the company at the end of the year, A+E Networks president and CEO Nancy Dubuc said Monday.
DeBitetto, who was named head of A+E Studios in 2013 after leading A&E Networks as its president and CEO over a decade prior, will leave at the end of the year, Dubuc said in an internal memo.
Under DeBitetto, A+E Studios produced such shows as Lifetime’s scripted series UnReal and History’s Emmy-nominated limited series Roots.
Dubuc said she will name a new head of A+E Studios, but did not give a timetable.
The full Dubuc memo reads as follows:
Over the last 14 years, Bob DeBitetto has been a vital force in our company. As President of A&E, he led the network to an impressive 10 year ratings growth streak and he had a hand in creating some of our biggest franchises. Nearly three years ago, when I took over as CEO I asked Bob to create and lead A+E Studios so we would participate in owning our scripted content. In a few short years, the Studio created our most critically-acclaimed series ever, UnReal, and the Emmy-nominated Roots. The studio now has over 40 series in active development including History’s upcoming series Six and Knightfall. It has become a major force in Hollywood and he has played a key role in its success.
Bob has been a friend, partner and mentor to me over the course of his entire career at A&E. He is widely respected in our industry and is often referred to as "the smartest guy in the room." So it is with great sadness that I am announcing his departure from A+E Networks. This summer, Bob told me he had decided to pursue the next chapter in his storied career and I want to be the first to wish him the very best.
Bob will be here until the end of the year and I expect to make an announcement shortly about the new leader of A+E Studios.
Please join me in wishing Bob continued success. I know we are all going to miss him greatly.
