Discovery Channel Staffs Up West Coast Operation

SILVER SPRING: Simon Andreae has been named senior VP of development and production for Discovery Channel, based in the Los Angeles office, effective June 1.

Most recently co-president of The Incubator—the venture behind In the Womb and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, among others—Andreae’s remit at Discovery sees him leading the channel’s West Coast development and production of series and specials. He will work closely with Clark Bunting, president and general manager of Discovery Channel and president of Science Channel, and Stephen Reverend, East Coast senior VP of development and production, as part of the channel’s senior management team.

"Simon is one of the most highly regarded executives in the unscripted space," said Bunting. "His razor-sharp programming acumen has produced some of the most cutting-edge and engaging nonfiction programming in the world."

Andreae began his career in the U.K., founding Optomen Television before becoming the head of science and education at Channel Four.