Nancy Dubuc comes to Lifetime

May 1, 2010 by Barry Walsh

After much speculation, A&E Television Networks (AETN) has confirmed that Nancy Dubuc, president and GM of History, is now taking the reins at Lifetime Networks in the same capacity, effective May 1.

‘Nancy is one of the most dynamic executives working in television,’ said AETN president and CEO Abbe Raven, to whom Dubuc reports. ‘Her track record of success by focusing on a brand’s target audience and creating programming for them is extraordinary. Nancy has great respect for the power of the Lifetime brand and I am confident she will lead the terrific team there to new heights.’

‘I am incredibly honored to now lead the Lifetime team,’ said Dubuc, who will continue to head up History as president and GM. ‘Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network are two of the most powerful and evocative brands on the media landscape. I am excited for the challenge to explore the unlimited potential of programming for women.’

Lifetime Entertainment Services officially merged with AETN last August, and Lifetime president and CEO Andrea Wong announced she was stepping down this past February. Rumors of Dubuc’s appointment to head Lifetime picked up considerable strength shortly afterward. In her new role, Dubuc will be responsible for the Lifetime and History brands’ strategic planning, programming, consumer marketing, publicity and brand development.

Dubuc, co-chair of the 2010 Realscreen Summit, was named president of History in August of 2009, after serving as its EVP and GM since 2007. Prior to History, she held the post of senior vice president, programming, A&E Network. Dubuc joined A&E in March 2003 as vice president, non-fiction & alternative programming.

Under Dubuc’s watch, the network has launched its 10 top-rated series of all time, including Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars, The Universe, Ax Men, Life After People and How The Earth Was Made. History had its best ratings performance ever in 2009, and is currently enjoying ratings success with its latest ambitious 12-hour event, America: The Story of Us, which premiered as the highest rated, most watched special in the net’s history with 5.7 million viewers tuning in. The first episode of the series, which ran over six nights, featured an introduction from U.S. president Barack Obama.

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