Simon Andreae

SVP Development & Production, West Coast

Discovery Channel

As Senior Vice President of Development and Production, West Coast, Simon Andreae is instrumental in Discovery's development and production of series and specials that contribute to the strategic vision and direction of the network. A key member of the senior management team, he works closely with Eileen O'Neill, Group President of Discovery and TLC Networks, and Nancy Daniels, Executive Vice President of Production and Development, Discovery Channel.

Series developed by Andreae's team include The Devils Ride, Fast N' Loud, Final Offer, and Texas Car Wars. He also spearheads development and production of Curiosity, the network's largest programming initiative to date. Episodes in Season Two have ranged from the controversial, multi award-winning I Was Mummified to the megastunt Plane Crash.

Prior to joining Discovery, Andreae served as President of The Incubator, the multi-award-winning independent production company behind such shows as Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman (with Revelations Entertainment for Science Channel), In the Womb (with Pioneer Productions for National Geographic Channel), Science of Sex Appeal (Discovery Channel), and My Shocking Story (TLC).

Andreae also previously served as Head of Science and Education at Channel Four in the UK, where he oversaw more than 100 hours of programming each year. Under his leadership, the division received its highest ratings in 22 years, as well as awards including a BAFTA and Emmys®. Andreae started his career as founding partner of UK indie Optomen Television, today one of the UK's largest and most respected nonfiction production companies.