Hasbro-Discovery Communications Joint Venture President and CEO Margaret Loesch today announced the appointment of children's and family entertainment programming veteran Donna Ebbs as senior vice president, programming, for the joint venture television network expected to launch in late 2010.
Press Release from Discovery Communications
(Los Angeles, Ca.) Hasbro-Discovery Communications Joint Venture President and CEO Margaret Loesch today announced the appointment of children's and family entertainment programming veteran Donna Ebbs as senior vice president, programming, for the joint venture television network expected to launch in late 2010. The yet-to-be-named network will reach approximately 60 million U.S. households on what is currently Discovery Kids channel.
Reporting to Loesch, Ebbs will be responsible for planning, directing and executing the network's programming strategy, including scheduling, oversight and cost management, as well as working with Loesch and the network's senior management team on creative development and overall strategic planning and direction.
"With a proven track record of developing and producing top-rated children's and family television series and movies, Donna is a perfect choice to head up the programming efforts for this new network," said Loesch. "I am thrilled to have Donna join our team and I look forward to working with her to build a high-quality, family-friendly network based on compelling storytelling, strong characters and engaging brands."
A 16-year veteran in the development and production of children's and family entertainment series and movies, Ebbs most recently served as vice president of original programming at ABC Family network, where she oversaw movies and specials, including "Princess," "Santa Baby" (I & II), "My Fake Fiancé" and the highest-rated television movie of 2008, "Holiday in Handcuffs." During the 2008-09 season, she also oversaw the third-year series "Lincoln Heights," season one of "The Middleman" and the development and production of the limited series "Samurai Girl."
Prior to joining ABC Family, Ebbs was a driving force behind Disney Channel's breakout television movie, "High School Musical." Her tenure with ABC/Disney also included serving as vice president of movies for ABC television network, where she was responsible for "The Wonderful World of Disney," overseeing family films for the classic television franchise, including "National Velvet," "The Son of Pocahontas," "Growing Pains" (I & II), "Little House on the Prairie" and "Nancy Drew." Ebbs also provided leadership for the experimental reality series "The Hamptons," as well as "Natalie Wood" and "Lynda LaPlante's Widows" (episodic).
Ebbs' previous experience includes senior development and programming roles with King World Productions, Davis Entertainment Television, Goodman/Rosen Productions and Hearst Entertainment.
A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Mass., Ebbs has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Southern California and is a frequent panelist on high-profile entertainment forums, as well as a member of the Television Academy's Executive Peer Group Committee. In the past, she has co-moderated a seminar on surviving in the television industry and has mentored high school and college students in screen writing for both ABC's Talent Development/Diversity Scholarship Grant Program and The Friar's Club Charitable Foundation.
About Hasbro-Discovery Communications Joint VentureAnnounced in April 2009, the Hasbro, Inc., and Discovery Communications multiplatform joint venture will both entertain and educate, featuring content drawn from Hasbro's rich portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built over the past 90 years, including original programming for animation, game shows, and live-action series and specials. New programming will be based on brands such as ROMPER ROOM, TRIVIAL PURSUIT, SCRABBLE, CRANIUM, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, GAME OF LIFE, TONKA and TRANSFORMERS, among many others. The TV network and online presence also will include content from Discovery's extensive library of award-winning children's educational programming, such as BINDI THE JUNGLE GIRL, ENDURANCE, TUTENSTEIN, HI-5, FLIGHT 29 DOWN and PEEP AND THE BIG WIDE WORLD, as well as programming from third-party producers. The yet-to-be-named network is expected to launch in fall 2010, reaching approximately 60 million U.S. households on what is currently Discovery Kids channel.
About HasbroHasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services, with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
About Discovery CommunicationsDiscovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
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