A+E Networks Shuffles A&E, HISTORY Senior Programming Execs

A+E Networks has realigned the roles of two of the company’s top nonfiction programming executives, A&E’s Amy Savitsky and HISTORY’s Dolores Gavin.

Savitsky, who previously served as senior VP of development and programming for A&E, will transition to the same role at sibling network HISTORY. Savitsky will report to Eli Lehrer, executive VP and general manager of HISTORY. Savitsky joined A&E Network in 2015 and has been responsible for overseeing some of the network’s most acclaimed series, including the Emmy Award-winning Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath and the IDA Award-nominated series Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole, after more than a decade at Discovery, where she served as senior VP of development for TLC.

In a corresponding move, senior executive of development and production for HISTORY, Gavin, will shift to A&E Network. Gavin will report to Elaine Frontain Bryant, executive VP and head of programming for A&E. In her role at HISTORY, Gavin spearheaded a development team that has produced such series as Truck Night in America and The Food That Built America.  Gavin rejoined HISTORY in 2016 after a stint as executive VP of development at Megalomedia and as executive VP of production and development at Discovery Channel.  Previously, Gavin spent almost a decade at HISTORY, most recently as VP of programming.

Both will continue to be based in A+E Networks’ headquarters in New York City.

“One of the strengths of A+E is the breadth and depth of internal talent, along with a diverse portfolio, providing opportunities for gifted programming executives like Amy and Dolores to lend their expertise and creativity to multiple brands while also allowing for significant personal creative growth by taking on new challenges within the organization,” said Rob Sharenow, president of programming at A+E Networks. “Amy and Dolores, under the leadership of Eli and Elaine, are instrumental to the continued success of HISTORY and A&E.”