New programming chiefs at A&E, History

Elaine Frontain Bryant and Paul Cabana have been promoted to programming chiefs for A&E and History, respectively.

This comes as new A&E and Lifetime executive VP and general manager Rob Sharenow beds into his new role. Sharenow made the announcement jointly with History and H2 EVP and GM Dirk Hoogstra.

Frontain Bryant will be head of programming and EVP of struggling cable channel A&E and reports to Sharenow, with Cabana taking on the same titles at History and sister net H2, reporting to Hoogstra.

“Elaine and Paul are visionary creative executives who over the past few years have been vital to the success of A+E Networks,” said Sharenow and Hoogstra in a statement. “They’re both exceptional leaders with strong ties to the creative community who will be developing the next generation of brand-defining hits across multiple platforms for A&E, History and H2.”

Frontain Bryant was previously senior VP, development and programming for History, but worked at A&E for eight years from 2005, during which time she helped develop Duck Dynasty.

Cabana was previously SVP and head of programming for H2, a post he has held since 2012. Before that, he was senior executive producer for History.

Sharenow recently took over at A&E from David McKillop, who exited for a move back into production. His promotion from Lifetime chief came after ITV Studios America chairman Paul Buccieri joined A+E as president of A&E and History.