Discovery Communications has named Clark Bunting as president of its newly formed Emerging Networks Group and promoted Carole Tomko to president of Discovery Studios.
As president of the Emerging Networks Group, Bunting will oversee the programming, marketing, scheduling, development and online initiatives for Science Channel, Investigation Discovery and Military Channel. Bunting, who has been serving as head of Discovery Studios, reports directly to Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav.
In addition to leading Discovery Studios, Tomko retains her responsibilities as general manager of FitTV, Discovery Kids Channel and Discovery Health Channel, which will become the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2009. Tomko reports to Discovery COO Mark Hollinger.
A 22-year Discovery Communications veteran, Bunting has led some of the most successful and brand-defining divisions of the company. As head of Discovery Studios, he oversaw Discovery’s network programming and theatrical arm, including the 2008 Sundance Film Festival Jury Award and Audience Award-winning Man on Wire. Previously, Bunting was executive vice president, Discovery U.S. Networks Group, where he oversaw the executives, management and operational activities of Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Military Channel, The Science Channel and FitTV.
Prior to that, Bunting served as executive vice president and general manager of Discovery Channel, where he launched the American Chopper, Mythbusters and Monster Garage franchises. Bunting, who joined Discovery in 1985, is credited with creating the annual "Shark Week" summer programming stunt.
“We wanted a big gun to manage Science Channel, ID and the portfolio of Emerging Networks and we did not need to look far,” said Zaslav in a statement. “Clark launched and built several of Discovery’s largest and most successful networks and he is the ideal creative executive to fully unlock the potential of these high quality brands.”
Tomko, who keeps her general manager posts at Fit TV, Discovery Kids and Discovery Health, steps to the helm of Discovery Studios as it is scheduled to create more than 200 hours of original content in 2008.
“Carole’s innovation and enthusiasm launched FitTV and led Discovery Health Channel through a critical transitional year of growth and change,” said Zaslav in a statement. “She has the talent and energy to take on more bandwidth and her business acumen and programming creativity are perfectly matched for this new dual role.”
