TV

AETN/Lifetime merger resulting in layoffs

Bringing Lifetime into the fold at A&E Television Networks is resulting in up to 100 layoffs, according to various published reports. An A&E spokesperson confirmed the story with Multichannel News on Friday. The spokesperson said most of the cuts would be coming from the public relations, legal, accounting and finance areas, but other reports say the cuts are spread across the company. It has been reported that Lifetime's head of reality, Jessica Samet, and its head of casting, Rick Jacobs, are also leaving. Variety is reporting that Lifetime's head of research, Mike Greco, is now head of research for AETN, taking the place of Dave Marans, and that Lifetime's digital head Dan Surratt is leading digital for AETN in its entirety.

November 9, 2009

Bringing Lifetime into the fold at A&E Television Networks is resulting in up to 100 layoffs, according to various published reports. An A&E spokesperson confirmed the story with Multichannel News on Friday. The spokesperson said most of the cuts would be coming from the public relations, legal, accounting and finance areas, but other reports say the cuts are spread across the company. It has been reported that Lifetime's head of reality, Jessica Samet, and its head of casting, Rick Jacobs, are also leaving. Variety is reporting that Lifetime's head of research, Mike Greco, is now head of research for AETN, taking the place of Dave Marans, and that Lifetime's digital head Dan Surratt is leading digital for AETN in its entirety.

Unlock this article right now

Create an account for FREE to unlock articles and receive Realscreen Daily.

Get access now

Already have an account/getting our newsletter? Sign in here

About The Author

Barry Walsh is editor-in-chief and content director for Realscreen, and has served as editor of the publication since 2009. With a career in entertainment media that spans two decades, prior to Realscreen, he held the associate editor post for now defunct sister publication Boards, which focused on the advertising and commercial production industries. Before Boards, he served as editor of Canadian Music Network, a weekly music industry trade, and as music editor for HMV.com. As content director, he also oversees the development of content for the brand's market-leading events, the Realscreen Summit and Realscreen West, as well as new content initiatives.

// Author Page