A&E Network has hired Robert DeBitetto, former architect of Turner
Network Television's original-programming strategy, as its senior vice president
of programming, officials said Monday.
DeBitetto, who joins A&E effective Wednesday, will report to executive VP
and general manager Abbe Raven.
DeBitetto, 46, left TNT more than one year ago, when it dismantled its
original-production unit. He had spent seven years at Turner Broadcasting System
Inc., most recently as TNT's president of original programming, overseeing TNT
Originals.
As head of TNT' s original programming, DeBitetto oversaw the development of
original series such as Witchblade, while his team was responsible for
the creation of miniseries and telepics such as The Mists of Avalon,
James Dean and Crossfire Trail.
Before he came to Turner, DeBitetto worked in a variety of capacities for the
Disney Motion Pictures Group.
"Robert's wealth of experience and success at Turner and Disney make him the
ideal executive to enhance A&E Network's long-standing tradition of quality
and award-winning programming," Raven said in a prepared statement.
In another move on the programming side, award-winning producer Nancy Dubuc
is moving over to A&E as VP of documentary development from sister network
The History Channel, where she was director of historical
programming.
