TLC taps former ABC exec

US cable channel TLC has hired former ABC development executive Jason Sarlanis.

He will work as senior VP, development at the Discovery Communications-owned network, reporting to executive VP, development and production Howard Lee and based in LA.

Sarlanis was formerly VP, alternative series and specials at Disney ABC Television Group-owned broadcast network ABC, where he worked up shows such as the rebooted BattleBots, and spearheaded the channel’s international formats efforts.

Prior to that, he was VP, original programming at another cable net, E! Entertainment, and was SVP at Ryan Seacrest Productions.