Travel Channel Veteran Upped to GM

Ten-year network veteran Matthew Butler has been named general manager of Travel Channel.

As general manager, Butler will oversee the development, production, scheduling and overall operations for Travel Channel, and he will be charged with leading the strategic growth of the audience and the brand. Most recently, Butler was VP of programming and development for Travel Channel. He spent a decade at the network, from 2000 to 2010, before becoming a member of the executive team that launched Destination America and American Heroes Channel. He rejoined Travel Channel in 2018.

“Given the terrific success of Travel’s recent repositioning, coupled with Matt’s long-term impact on the brand, we didn’t have far to go in search of our new GM,” said Kathleen Finch, chief lifestyle brands officer. “I’m delighted to have Matt continue the vision he and Jane Latman created together for Travel, opening the brand to explore more mystery and adventure, while remaining keenly focused on creating content that our loyal viewers will love.”

“Matt is taking over Travel Channel at a time of great momentum and strength,” said Henry Schleiff, group president of Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Destination America and American Heroes Channel, to whom Butler will now report. “Indeed, with more than a decade of experience and expertise with Travel, no one is more knowledgeable about its viewers and their passion for this popular genre. We are fortunate to have such a creative and dedicated team at Travel, and I look forward to seeing Matt lead it to even greater heights.”