AETN UK Hires VP of Programming

LONDON: Filling the newly created post of VP of programming at AETN UK is Adam MacDonald, who starts in the role in early January 2011.

MacDonald will be based at the company’s West London office. He will be reporting to Tom Davidson, the managing director. Along with Davidson, MacDonald will be responsible for setting the programming direction and strategies for AETN UK’s portfolio of channels. He will be overseeing commissioning, acquisitions and scheduling. His remit includes HISTORY, HISTORY HD, Bio, Bio HD, Crime & Investigation Network, Crime & Investigation Network HD and Military History in the U.K., Ireland, Africa, the Middle East, Greece, Benelux, Scandinavia and Central Europe.

Joining from IWC Media, where he was creative director and executive producer for Channel 4 and BBC One projects, MacDonald’s career has also included stints as controller of daytime and digital factual at ITV. He was also head of daytime at Channel 4. MacDonald began his career at the BBC, working his way up through the scheduling ranks to become head of planning and scheduling for BBC One. He then spent two years as director of development at Lion TV.

Davidson said of the new hire: “We are delighted to welcome Adam to our company and feel his wealth of experience will be a huge benefit to growing our business further.”

MacDonald commented: "This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me to join the vibrant team at AETN and to develop their powerful brands and channels even further—and it also allows me to properly revel in my passion for Ice Road Truckers."