The Hub Network will become the Discovery Family Channel effective October 13. While the network will broaden its programming focus to serve families in primetime, it will continue to showcase Hasbro Studios children’s content in daytime.
During the daytime, the channel will offer a line-up of brand new Hasbro Studios’ series, as well as such library programming as My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop, and Transformers Rescue Bots.
Discovery Family Channel will continue as a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro, with Discovery Communications taking a 60 percent ownership position in the new channel and Hasbro’s stake decreasing to 40 percent. The network will be consolidated and managed under the Discovery portfolio of networks.
Tom Cosgrove has been named the general manager of Discovery Family Channel and will manage all network operations and programming, working closely with the Hasbro Studios team as the new channel will prominently feature Hasbro Studios-produced content in daytime.
Previously, Cosgrove served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Discovery Channel and Science Channel and has held senior leadership positions at ABC Family, Fox Family, Fox Kids, and TV Guide Channel prior to his time at Discovery. Discovery Communications Group President Henry Schleiff made the decision to name Cosgrove as general manager.
