A&E Television Networks elevated two of its top executives, naming Abbe Raven and Dan Davids presidents of A&E Network and The History Channel USA, respectively.
Raven had been serving as executive vice president and general manager of A&E, while Davids held the same titles at History.
The promotions -- which came just short of two years after the two executives swapped jobs to redefine the networks’ brands -- were announced as both networks are enjoying solid ratings performances.
“I am delighted to announce the appointments of Abbe and Dan, who have built some of the most respected brands in television with me for the past 20 years,” AETN president Nick Davatzes said in a prepared statement. “Both networks are enjoying their best years ever, and Abbe and Dan are the driving force behind them.”
Over the past year, Raven has green-lighted seven new primetime series and five original movies for 2004-05, including the critically acclaimed Airline, Family Plots, The First 48, Growing Up Gotti and Dog the Bounty Hunter,as well as some of the highest-rated movies ever on the network, such as Ike: Count Down to D-Day and The Riverman.
A&E said it has recorded double-digit growth in ratings and overall impressions during the first eight months of this year.
Under Davids' stewardship, History saw record increases in ratings and target-viewer demographics.
The network said 2004 has been its most-watched year ever, as it has pulled a 1.0 household rating or higher each month.
Year-to-date, History is averaging 512,000 viewers 25-54, up 13% versus 2003.
