Discovery Communications Ups Rita Mullin To GM Science Channel

Discovery Communications Ups Rita Mullin To GM Science Channel

An 18-year Discovery veteran, Rita Mullin is moving up from her role as EVP Programming and Development at OWN to General Manager of Science Channel. The announcement was made today by Eileen O’Neill, Group President, Discovery Channel, Science Channel and Velocity, to whom Mullin will report. Her new position is effective June 2. “I am excited to call myself the newest member of the Science Channel team,” Mullin said. “I want to ignite people’s passions with the stories we have to share. Science is now. We want to capitalize on people’s curiosity for the unknown with thought-provoking programming, bold talent and out-of-this-world entertainment.”

“Rita has a passion for storytelling that is the core to the Science Channel audience,” says O’Neill. “With nearly 20 years of non-fiction television experience, she has an innate curiosity that will drive the Science Channel to the next level.”

Mullin takes over for Debbie Adler Myers, former General Manager and EVP of Science Channel, who was responsible for the launch of many successful franchise programs including Emmy nominated Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman, Outrageous Acts Of Science, and the network’s first scripted feature The Challenger Disaster, starring Academy Award-winning actor William Hurt. In previous senior programming and production roles with Discovery Communications, Myers helped to develop multiple series across networks including Little People, Big World and Say Yes To The Dress for TLC, and On The Case With Paula Zahn and Disappeared for Investigation Discovery.

During her tenure at OWN, Mullin worked on such popular series as Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s, Six Little McGhees, Our America With Lisa Ling, and Life With La Toya among others. Mullin served as SVP Content Strategy for Discovery Fit & Health, as well as roles at TLC and Discovery Health Channel, where she created and executed many successful series for all three networks. Her experience includes managing programming, production, development, marketing and communications during her career at Discovery Communications.

Mullin serves on the board of directors of CINE and is a member of the Documentary Peer Group of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

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