Robert DeBitetto

President & General Manager, A&E Network & BIO Channel

Robert DeBitetto was named President and General Manager, A&E Network and BIO Channel in June 2008. In his role, DeBitetto manages a portfolio of cable networks including the flagship A&E Network, BIO (formerly The Biography Channel) and the Crime & Investigation Network, where he oversees all creative and business matters including programming, marketing, P&L management, strategic planning, brand development, acquisitions, web content and public relations.

DeBitetto is responsible for content across all platforms for the flagship A&E Network, BIO and the Crime & Investigation Network and their brand extensions including; aetv.com, bio.com. and crimeandinvestigation.com. DeBitetto spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive multi-platform positioning of the A&E brand, which includes a new logo, new look and feel and the tagline ‘Real Life. Drama.’ DeBitetto also oversees the award-winning feature documentary unit, A&E IndieFilms.

DeBitetto has spearheaded the first scripted original series development at A&E in more than six years. He has overseen the development of several projects which emphasize the network’s commitment to developing original dramas that complement these platforms and put a premium on great character, storytelling and ‘A’ auspices. The first scripted drama series under his management, “The Cleaner,” starring Benjamin Bratt, premiered in July 2008, and doubled the network’s primetime average. “The Cleaner” returned for a second season in June 2009.

DeBitetto also oversaw the development and production of the 2008 Emmy-nominee for Outstanding Miniseries, based on the Michael Crichton best-seller, “The Andromeda Strain,” executive produced by Ridley and Tony Scott and starring Benjamin Bratt, Ricky Schroder, Eric McCormack and Andre Braugher, which premiered on Memorial Day and became cable’s number one mini-series of 2008 and garnered 7 Emmy nominations.

Previously DeBitetto had served as Executive Vice President and General Manager, A&E Network since 2005. During his tenure, DeBitetto oversaw the development of the network-defining unscripted series such as “Dog The Bounty Hunter,” “Criss Angel Mindfreak,” “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” “Paranormal State” and the 2009 Emmy-winner for Outstanding Reality Program “Intervention” as well as some the highest rated original movies in the network’s history including the Emmy and Writers Guild award-winning “Flight 93.”

Under DeBitetto’s leadership, A&E has been transformed into a perennial top 10 network. Over the last five years, his strategy to welcome younger viewers to A&E has doubled the size of the audience in the network’s target demographics and a stunning 15 year decrease in the network’s median age. A&E had its best delivery in network history across all key demos in 2009, marking an astonishing sixth straight year of growth among the key adults 18-49 and 25-54 demographics. Among all entertainment cable networks in 2009, A&E ranked number 4 in adults 25-54, number 5 in adults 18-49 and number 5 in total viewers (up from number 6 in 2008).

Under DeBitetto’s stewardship, BIO has enjoyed three consecutive years of growth in all key demos and the best delivery in the network’s history in 2007 and 2008. Additionally, in 2007 DeBitetto spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive repositioning of the network, which introduced a new on-air look, logo and the tagline ‘True Story,’ along with a robust original programming slate intended to refresh the established Biography brand, including an original talk series hosted and executive produced by the iconic William Shatner, “Shatner’s Raw Nerve.”

In 2005, DeBitetto spearheaded the launch of A&E IndieFilms, the network’s documentary feature film division, which in its first year garnered the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, with Murderball. Since then A&E IndieFilms have received two consecutive years of Academy Award nominations, for Murderball in 2006 and Jesus Camp in 2007. Most recently, DeBitetto closed a theatrical distribution deals with Sony Pictures Classics for Amir Bar-Lev’s documentary My Kid Could Paint That, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival; Paramount Vantage for Nanette Burstein’s American Teen, which earned Burstein a Best Director award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and Roadside Attractions for R.J. Culter’s acclaimed documentary about Vogue editor Anna Wintour, The September Issue.

DeBitetto joined A&E in January 2003 as Senior Vice President, Programming and was appointed Executive Vice President, Programming in March 2005. In that role DeBitetto oversaw the network’s programming strategies, creative development of original movies, series, documentaries, and specials as well as scheduling and acquisition strategy.

Before joining A&E, DeBitetto spent seven years working in a variety of executive capacities for Turner Broadcasting, most recently as President of Original Programming, Turner Network Television (TNT) and oversaw TNT Originals, where he was responsible for the network’s entire original programming endeavors. This included developing the strategic vision for TNT’s original programming and managing all creative and business matters relating to the network’s original content development.

Prior to that, DeBitetto spent his career in the theatrical motion picture business, where he held several senior level positions. In 1995, he was hired by Turner Broadcasting to help establish and manage Turner Pictures, the company’s then-start-up theatrical motion picture production company which eventually was merged into Warner Bros. Before that, DeBitetto spent a decade at Disney where he served in a number of capacities for the Disney Motion Pictures Group, including as Senior Vice President, where he was responsible for overseeing a variety of business operations for Disney’s motion pictures studio.

DeBitetto graduated Phi Beta Kappa with high honors from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and earned a law degree from the UCLA School of Law.

DeBitetto currently serves on the board of The Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS). He has also served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and on the board of The Next Generation Council of the Motion Picture and Television Fund.