A+E Execs Tout Success of Portfolio

NEW YORK: Abbe Raven, chairman of A+E Networks, pointed to the gains made by the group’s channel portfolio at its Upfront presentation last night, noting, "In 2012, all six of our core networks were up year over year. We are the only network group who can say that."

Raven noted that A+E Networks is now the second-largest cable group in the U.S., and is out-delivering the fully distributed cable networks from Viacom, NBCUniversal, AMC Networks, Discovery and Scripps in adults 25 to 54.

Addressing the ad community, Raven continued, "We have the most powerful and elite brands in media that resonate high value for both consumers and advertisers, allowing us to integrate your products, your brands, into rich content across every platform."

The group is home to 20 of the top 50 shows on ad-supported cable in adults 25 to 54, Raven said. "That’s 40 percent of the top of the market. No one else comes close!"

Raven also cited the company’s prowess in the digital space. "This year, we are on pace to deliver nearly 1 billion video views across our digital platforms."

Nancy Dubuc, the new president and CEO of A+E Networks after succeeding Raven in the post, said of taking on the new role: "My pledge to you is to lead A+E Networks into the next era of our business and capitalize on what we do better than anyone; build unforgettable brands and evolve them, innovate through the way we talk to viewers and always, always put creative first."

Dubuc went on to discuss the success of each of A+E Networks’ core brands. A&E, she said, "is on fire… we just came off our best quarter and our most-watched year ever." HISTORY is the number one entertainment network for men in all cable, she said, thanks to a strong slate of "landmark" shows. Lifetime, Raven continued, is in the midst of "an amazing growth spurt," with content that is "outrageously relateable. No other network attracts multigenerations of women." Upcoming highlights for Lifetime include the unscripted show Hillbetties and the previously announced dramas Witches of East End and Devious Maids. Dubuc also announced that the movie event Bonnie and Clyde with Holly Hunter and William Hurt among others, will simulcast on A&E, HISTORY and Lifetime.

Mel Berning, the president of ad sales at A+E Networks, pointed to the strength of cable over broadcast. "The math says that broadcast erosion is throwing over $1 billion up for grabs in this year’s upfront. If you’re tired of paying a failure tax, we have lots of successful programs for you to invest in."