TLC taps program chief

Steve Cheskin named VP of programming

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

TLC continues its march back East, naming Steve Cheskin to serve as the channel's exec VP of programming.

The newly created position will be based at TLC's headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. Cheskin will be charged with overseeing TLC's program development team on both coasts, as well as scheduling.

That includes Los Angeles, where Nancy Daniels will now focus solely on leading the network's bicoastal production team. Daniels had previously been overseeing both production and development, most recently successfully launching new shows such as "Cake Boss" and "The Little Couple."

TLC prexy-general manager Eileen O'Neill announced the change. New structure brings TLC's development closer to Silver Springs-based O'Neill, to whom Cheskin will report. Daniels, one of O'Neill's first hires after she took over the channel last summer, continues to report to the TLC topper as well. 

Cheskin joins TLC from the femme-targeted WE TV, where he previously served as senior VP of programming. While there, he worked on shows such as "Amazing Wedding Cakes," "Little Miss Perfect" and "Platinum Weddings."

"With (Cheskin's) leadership, I'm confident we will continue the network's strategic growth," O'Neill said.

It's a reunion for Cheskin at Discovery Communications and TLC; he previously served as interim g.m. at TLC and VP of programming at the channel. He also served as general manager of Travel Channel and was part of the team that invented "Shark Week" at Discovery Channel.