A+E Networks Launches Digital Division, Plans History.com Overhaul

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In simpler terms, A+E Networks – a partnership between Disney and Hearst that’s mainly recognized for its cable channels rather than digital know-how – announced plans to establish a new A+E Digital sector. This move aims to broaden their business scope and strengthen their online influence.

Ann McGowan, a seasoned media professional with background at Dow Jones & Co. and NBCUniversal, has been appointed as the head of digital platforms. In her new role, she will spearhead this innovative initiative. She will be overseen by Juliana Stock, who holds the positions of both Chief Digital Officer and Chief Marketing Officer within the company. A+E Digital covers a wide range of assets such as brand-specific websites, YouTube channels, streaming video on demand platforms like A&E Crime Central, History Vault, and Lifetime Movie Club, short-form video creation, editorial newsletters, and numerous social media handles across Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok.

In a pre-written statement, Stock expressed his trust in Ann’s skills to collaborate with our gifted team and shape our digital strategy at A+E. With her knowledge in digital innovation and strategic leadership, she will significantly contribute to expanding audience interaction, improving efficiency, and offering top-notch experiences that appeal to both viewers and advertising partners. This move marks another thrilling advancement for A+E, as we strive to cater to audiences consuming content in various ways and fulfill the demands of our partners, all while broadening our impact, significance, and income.

The primary goal for the launch of our new section is to enhance the historical content associated with History.com. Our updated platform will showcase an enlarged “This Day in History” segment, original articles linking past events to current trends, and next-day streaming of series from our History Channel. A+E Networks intends to offer exclusive advertising deals related to this new content.

Following a memo from Hearst’s CEO, Steve Swartz, it has become clear that A+E is encountering difficulties due to changes within the media industry. In his message, Swartz stated, “This past year was challenging for our newspaper and magazine divisions, as well as our partnership with The Walt Disney Company through A+E Networks. The advertising market became increasingly competitive, while challenges such as cord cutting, decreased search-related traffic, and the rise of generative AI resulted in lower profits.” Now, new initiatives are being revealed to address these issues.

A+E announced that their fresh emphasis on the digital sector will involve strengthened initiatives geared towards customizing user experiences, fostering online communities, and developing unique platforms for advertisers to engage with their target audiences.

Prior to my tenure at A+E Networks, I honed my skills in the media industry by serving as Senior Vice President of New Ventures at Dow Jones. Here, I spearheaded innovative strategies that significantly expanded our audio and video operations. My journey didn’t stop there; I also held influential leadership positions at NBCUniversal, where I was responsible for shaping digital strategies for their entertainment programming. At Showtime Networks, I had the privilege of developing its initial direct-to-consumer strategy. My professional path also includes stints at Lucent Technologies and Chase Manhattan Bank. As a devoted cinema enthusiast, each step of my career has been a thrilling journey into the dynamic world of media and entertainment.

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2025-02-20 18:21