President. Entertainment, Lifetime Entertainment Services
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Daniels joined cable’s leading women’s programmer from The WB last fall. One of her first moves was to secure the exclusive cable-syndication rights to NBC drama Medium, beginning in 2009. The acquisition follows other recent Lifetime off-network comedy purchases, including Frasier, Will & Grace, Reba and Still Standing. However, the industry will be watching her original series endeavors, particularly as stalwart Strong Medicine, basic cable’s longest-running drama, ends its six-season run.
HIGH ’05s: “Back in September, I was asked by [Lifetime CEO] Betty Cohen to take on this exciting opportunity as president of entertainment. It’s a great challenge building upon a powerful brand and developing a new generation of programming for not only Lifetime Television, but Lifetime Movie Network and Lifetime Real Women.”
PICKS IN ’06: “I’ve been working non-stop to buy, buy, buy new programming, both scripted and non-scripted, in the vein of our upcoming Lovespring comedy series, which is produced by Eric McCormack’s production company; and the reality show Cheerleader Nation, from Laurie Girion and Fox Studios. We’re also expanding the genres of Lifetime Original Movies to include everything from romantic comedies to supernatural and even musicals. As I build my team, I am also delighted to bring on Maria Grasso, one of the top programming execs in the business, to head our scripted-development process.”
MY TIME: “I have a husband and three young children, so that keeps me busy at home. But I’m very proud of my longtime work for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.”
