Scott Lewers Gets Expanded Role at Discovery

Discovery has upped Emmy winner Scott Lewers to the role of executive VP of multiplatform programming for factual and head of content for Science Channel.

Lewers has served as executive VP for more than two years and has been responsible for the multiplatform programming, live production, digital and research teams across Discovery, Science Channel and Animal Planet. In this expanded role, he will now also be responsible for the creative vision and content for Science Channel, overseeing production and development. Lewers will continue to be based in Los Angeles and report directly to Nancy Daniels, chief brand officer for Discovery and factual.

Lewers also serves executive producer of Revenge of the Nerd (working title), a prank series from Jimmy Kimmel’s Kimmelot, featuring former NASA engineer turned YouTube star Mark Rober set to air on Discovery later this year. He also championed Discovery’s partnership with digital influencers MrBeast and Mark Rober on #TeamTrees, a global movement that successfully achieved its goal of planting 20 million trees by 2020. Lewers drove Discovery’s exclusive behind-the-scenes access, hosting a Watch and Plant event where Discovery donated up to $100,000 for each viewer who tuned in, allowing audiences not just to view but also participate in the project.

Last year, Lewers partnered with The Explorers Club and tapped Group Nine to produce the special Confessions from Space: Apollo that celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo missions, featuring rare interviews with various astronauts, including Buzz Aldrin, Mike Collins, Charlie Duke and others.

Lewers’ previously served as senior VP of multiplatform programming and digital media at TLC, where he was the creative architect for “bingeable” nights of premiere television and driving growth in prime-time viewing of nearly 20 percent. He also spearheaded breakout digital content, including the first digital original series for the company on TLC GO, 90 Day Fiancé: What Now?, Dr. Pimple Popper: This Is Zit and TLC’s first original series with Snapchat, Royal Wedding.

Prior to TLC, Lewers served as Discovery Channel’s senior VP of programming, responsible for overseeing all aspects of program planning for Discovery Channel and spearheaded new types of content for the network, including Shark After Dark, a live late-night talk show airing during Shark Week. He has also headed Discovery’s digital content, such as the record-breaking Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda, which won an Emmy.

Before joining Discovery, Lewers held senior programming roles at Oxygen Media/NBCU and Lifetime Entertainment.

“Scott has been instrumental in creating and growing the content strategy across our networks, building a broader and more diverse audience on all platform,” said Daniels. “He is a brilliant creative disrupter with a passion for strengthening our brands for the multiplatform future.”