Bill Goodwyn is going global for Discovery Communications.
The programmer has promoted the 23-year veteran to president, Global Distribution, and CEO of Discovery Education.
Goodwyn has been heading the company's U.S. distribution efforts as president, Domestic Distribution and Enterprises.
In this newly created role, Goodwyn is responsible for driving ongoing value for the company's content, leading efforts to secure additional carriage for Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks, and maintaining its leadership position on next generation platforms including HD, 3D and digital opportunities.
In addition to his new global distribution charge, Goodwyn will also continue to lead all U.S. distribution efforts.
Along with helming Discovery's U.S. distribution division, he has shepherded the relaunch of Discovery Education, the nation's leading provider of scientifically proven, standards-based digital media services. Serving as president of Discovery Education since 2007, he is now CEO of the division and is charged with overseeing the team responsible for driving the business in the K-12 marketplace. Flagship service Discovery Education now reaches more than half of all U.S. schools, and more than 1 million educators and 35 million students.
"Since 1987, Bill has built a content distribution platform that is second to none and rebuilt the nascent Discovery Education division into one of the fastest-growing parts of our company," David Zaslav, CEO of Discovery Communications, said in a release in announcing the promotion. "Bill has helped to make Discovery the company it is today, and is the well-deserving chief executive of Discovery Education and the natural choice to lead the next phase of Discovery's international carriage expansion in more than 180 countries and territories."
