There’s been some shuffling at the top over on Discovery’s Planet Green network — but don’t read that as a sign that the environmentally-themed channel is experiencing any trouble. Discovery is one of the few media companies to report growth during the economic downturn — with ad revenue at its U.S. networks rising 6% in the fourth quarter, and 9% for the full year.

Last year, then-Planet Green president Eileen O’Neill was moved over to head Discovery’s struggling TLC network. Discovery Emerging Networks president Clark Bunting took over in the interim while the company searched for a new star to lead the channel. An announcement this morning confirms that they’ve selected Laura Michalchyshyn, formerly executive vice president and general manager of Sundance Channel. From the release,

Michalchyshyn oversaw the production of many notable original programs including Big Ideas for a Small Planet, Iconoclasts, Nimrod Nation, Architecture School, Sin City Law, Live from Abbey Road, and Spectacle: Elvis Costello with… among many others. Michalchyshyn acquired numerous documentary features and television series including Slings & Arrows, City of Men and Kath & Kim, and films such as Body of War, Lagerfeld Confidential and The Return of the War Room. Under her leadership, Sundance Channel launched new destinations such as Asia Extreme, Sonic Screen and most notably, The Green, the channel’s environmental content block which launched in 2007. The Green combines original series including Ecobiz, Ecoist, Ecotrip, and Lazy Environmentalist and acquired series such as It’s Not Easy Being Green, Carbon Cops, Sierra Club Chronicles and Outrageous Wasters. Documentaries in the block include Garbage Warrior, Off the Grid, Crude Impact, Waste = Food, Manufactured Landscapes, and Weather Report.

Clearly, Laura has the producing background in environmentally-themed programming to make her an instant asset to Planet Green. Here’s to hoping the network continues to evolve — and grow — under her leadership.

Categories: Film/TV.

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

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