TLC Hires Former Animal Planet GM Rick Holzman

TLC has tapped Rick Holzman, most recently the general manager of Animal Planet, to join the network as senior VP of programming and strategy.

Holzman has spent ten years in senior network leadership positions at Discovery. He held senior programming roles at Animal Planet, Science Channel and Discovery Channel, overseeing commissioning, acquisitions, co-productions and scheduling, among other responsibilities. Previously, he held senior programming positions at MTV Networks and NBCUniversal Television.

In his new role, Holzman is responsible for planning, directing and executing TLC’s multiplatform programming strategy and scheduling. He works closely with development and production leadership and plays a key role in supporting the expansion of the TLC brand across all media platforms to grow revenues and viewership. Holzman also manages the integration of all revenue-related functions, including ad sales, distribution, digital and finance.

Holzman is reporting to Howard Lee, the president and general manager of TLC.

“Rick is a consumer-insights driven, results-oriented programming executive who has made an indelible mark on numerous brands under the Discovery umbrella and across the industry during his exceptional career,” said Lee. “Rick’s deep expertise in growing multiplatform brands and developing fan-focused content and scheduling strategies, combined with his passion for Discovery brands, make him the perfect choice to oversee program strategy for TLC.”

“TLC is an incredible brand and I am proud to return to the Discovery family to join a remarkably creative team under Howard’s leadership,” said Holzman. “As a long-time fan of TLC, I am excited to build on the network’s already tremendous momentum.”