Reports: Raven to Lead New Cable Venture

NEW YORK: Abbe Raven, the president and CEO of A&E Television Networks (AETN), is poised to head up the new Hearst/Disney-ABC/NBC Universal venture that would encompass ten TV brands, including A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network.

According to reports, the staffs of both companies have been briefed on the pending deal, which would see Hearst, Disney-ABC and NBCU restructuring their A&E Networks partnership to include Lifetime. No deals have been signed yet.

A 25-year A&E veteran, Raven took over as president and CEO in 2005, and is credited with reinvigorating the channel with programs that appeal to a wider audience, including series such as Dog the Bounty Hunter. Should the deal go through, Lifetime president and CEO Andrea Wong would report to Raven.