235 East 45th Street New York, NY 10017
(212)-210-1400
Mission
“At A+E Networks, we are passionate about bringing human stories to life, knowing that it is in life itself that those stories originate. We are commited to empowering our employees, strengthening our partnerships and engaging audiences across the globe.”
Life is what you make it. We make it entertaining. “ (1)
Key Executives (2)
About
A+E Television Networks, LLC is a media company and a joint venture between the Disney ABC-Television Group and Hearst Corporation. The company owns 10 separate channels: A&E, History Channel, Lifetime Channel, LMN, Bio, H2, History en Español, Crime & Investigation Network, Military History, and LRW Network. The network currently reaches more than 300 million households in over 150 countries. The network also includes two international divisions: A&E Networks UK & A&E Networks Asia (1)
History
A+E Networks was formed in in 1983 and in 1984 A&E launched to an estimated 6 million homes in the U.S. Soon after, Lifetime Television launched. As the years progressed, A&E introduced Biography, History Channel and History International. They have had many successes through the years such such as the History Channel reaching 70 million subscribers, the fastest cable network to do this since its inception. Also, in 2002 they were nominated for 22 primetime Emmys. They have had many successful TV shows such as The Sopranos, Intervention, Drop Dead Diva and critically acclaimed films such as Flight 93, which continues to be the highest rated A&E original movie. (1)
Financials
A&E Networks is not a publicly traded company therefore no detailed financial information is available (4)
Main Competitors (5)
Right Here, Right Now!
September
In a historically first for A+E Networks, it was announced on September 18 that Lifetime, A&E and History would simulcast Bonnie & Clyde, a four-hour, two-night major event premiering on December 8th. (10)
The new hit TV show Devious Maids had its greatest viewership on September 23. A total of 3 million viewers watched the season finale against a very competitive night. The episode was a 50% jump versus the first episode. The program is also a series high in the most important demographic: 1.4 million in Adults 18-49 and 1.2 million in women Adult 18-49. The programs 19% hispanic viewership doubles Lifetime’s primetime average. The show tells the story of a group of maids bound together by their jobs, life and devious secrets. The show already has been renewed for a 13-episode second season airing next year. (12)
Also on September 24, Lifetime announced that their longest running series Army Wives would not return after seven seasons on air. To honor the program, the network is planning a two-hour retrospective episode that will air early 2014. The show followed the lives of a group of women living with their families in an active Army Post. Throughout its run, the drama received two Gracie Awards from the Alliance for Women in Media, a Sentinel for Health Award, many NAACP Image Award, NAMIC Award and Prism Award nominations. (14)
On September 27, A&E Networks announced that they are developing a new original scripted drama series entitled “The Returned” based on the popular French series Les Revenants. The story follows a small town where people who have been presumed dead suddenly appear mysteriously with no recollection of their deaths. The show will be a co-production between A&E Studios and FremantleMedia North America. (16)
October
A&E presents a new brand identity which included a new website, a new on-air look and the tagline BE ORIGINAL. A&E continues to be 100% original during its primetime programming and this is an opportunity to develop what makes the network succeeded. “A&E has always been a leader in quality original programming and has enjoyed a decade of growth. Our new tagline embodies who we are and not just what we do” said David McKillop, General manger & Executive Vice President. (17)
On October 25th, Lifetime renewed Drop Dead Diva for a sixth season. Drop Dead Diva tells the story of a model that dies and her soul resurfaces in a body of a plus-size deceased attorney. This comes to no surprise as the show continues to be a hit among women ages 18-49 (18)
A&E had its best October yet among their total viewers. They saw a 10% increase in total from last October and a 3% increase in Adults ages 18-49. Also, A&E jumped in rankings to #5 for the months in adults ages 25-54. They were one of the only three top ten networks to show an increase compared to last October showing that as time progresses, A&E is becoming more and more competitive. (21)
November
A&E Network renewed their distribution agreement with Time Warner Cable and their TV Everywhere platforms such as Video-On-Demand. All of their networks including Lifetime, History, LMN, etc will be included in the deal. They will be available in all types of mobile platforms such as Iphone and Ipads through Time Warner. (23)
A&E networks Asia will also launch Lifetime and H2 in the Phillipines. Lifetime channel will carry the renowned series The Client List and unforgettable and unscripted shows suchs as Masterchef Australia and Dance Moms. H2 delves deeper into the events presented in the History Channel and gives viewers deeper connections in a variety of subjects. H2 launched in September 2011 and is currently the #1 emerging ad-supported entertainment cable network in the United States among adults ages 25-54. (24)
On November 13, A&E Networks joined forces with French Pay TV Channel Canal Plus to create two new branded channels: Planete Plus A&E and Planet Plus Crime Investigation (CI). Both channels will be carried on the Gallic paybox’s satellite platform named CanalSat and will broadcast both A&E programming and local French and European productions. A&E Networks’ managing director in Europe Dean Possenniskie stated “We’re looking forward to working closely with Canal+ to bringing French audiences the highest quality factual entertainment programming and strengthening our viewership in this vital market.” My Ghost Story, Duck Dynasty, Storage Wars, and Pawn Stars are some of the programs that will air in Planete Plus A&E. Cajun Justice, Crime 360, and I killed My BFF will air in Planete Plus CI (26)
Sources
(1) http://www.aenetworks.com/about
(2) http://www.aenetworks.com/about/executives
(3) http://www.aenetworks.com/about/products
(4) http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/47/47295.html
(6) http://msba.cua.edu/Current/Internships/Discovery.cfm
(8) http://www.amcnetworks.com/
(9) http://seriesnews.biz/bonnie-and-clyde-tv-mini-series-promo-posters/
(11) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2226342/
(13) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Wives
(15) http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/scifi/losts-carlton-cuse-adapt-french-undead-series-returned-ae.html
(16) https://www.aenetworks.com/article/ae-developing-new-scripted-series-returned
(17) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-e-unveils-new-be-645428
(18) http://www.aenetworks.com/article/lifetime-renews-drop-dead-diva-sixth-season
(19) http://haveuheard.net/2010/05/drop-dead-diva-season-2-preview-6610/
(20) http://www.aetv.com/
(21) http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/29/ae-network-posts-best-october-ever-in-key-demos/212311/
(22) http://www.deadline.com/tag/vod-time-warner-cable/
(24) http://www.aenetworks.com/article/ae-networks-asia-launches-lifetime-and-h2-philippines
(25) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/canal-disney-announce-svod-partnership-425103
(26) http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/ae-networks-teams-with-french-pay-tv-leader-canal-plus-1200826919/