A+E content chief joins Nat Geo

Christian Drobnyk

A+E Networks’ Christian Drobnyk has joined National Geographic Global Networks as executive VP of programming strategy and acquisitions.

Drobnyk will focus on National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo, reporting to Nat Geo Global Networks CEO Courteney Monroe.

He joins from Disney-backed channels group A+E, where he was senior VP of programming strategy, acquisitions and coproductions for Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network.

There, he helped the cable group push into original scripted programming through shows such as UnReal and Mary Kills People, and commissioned telemovies starring the likes of Viola Davis, Minnie Driver and Will Ferrell.

Nat Geo has also been pushing into high-end, original content since Monroe was named global networks CEO at the 21^st Century Fox-owned factual channel.

“With National Geographic’s continued ethos of creating broader, premium and upscale programming and attracting A-list talent to the network, both in front of and behind the camera, Christian’s addition to our executive team, with his extensive experience in both the US and the UK, is natural fit to advance our programming and acquisitions strategy further,” said Monroe.

Drobnyk will focus on Nat Geo’s programming and acquisition strategy and coordinating global launches to drive up ratings among other duties.

Before working at A+E, he was general manager of BBC Worldwide-backed UKTV, leading the Dave, Gold, Watch and Alibi channels in the UK. Before that, he had been at Discovery Communications, overseeing programming and development at female-skewed TLC.

“The iconic National Geographic brand has been going through an exciting evolution, and as a lifelong fan of the brand, I am thrilled to join Courteney and the team at National Geographic in taking the brand further and steering the premium content strategy into the future,” said Drobnyk.