Nancy Daniels

Head of Discovery, Animal Planet, Science, TBS, TNT & truTV
TLC

As President and General Manager of TLC, Daniels oversees all aspects of the network programming, production, development, new media, communications and marketing. Based in the company’s Los Angeles office, she’s held this position since September 2013.

Since Daniels became GM, TLC has been breaking records, closing out 2015 with 26 shows that averaged 1.0M P2+ viewers or more, and six shows with over 2.0 P2+ viewers including The Little Couple, Sister Wives, Little People, Big World and Return to Amish. In 2015 TLC had seven new series renewed for a second season including My Big Fat Fabulous Life; I Am Jazz; Love, Lust or Run; 7 Little Johnstons; Our Little Family; Willis Family; and My Giant Life. TLC’s Sunday night line-up had a very strong 4Q15 led by Sister Wives and 90 Day Fiance, up double-digits vs. YAGO. TLC’s Stellar Sunday series include: Jill and Jessa: Counting On (averaged 2.9M P2+ viewers); Long Island Medium (January premiere averaged 2.6M P2+ viewers); Sister Wives (averaged 2.0 P2+ viewers, ranking #2 in its Sunday 9pm ad-supported cable time period delivery among W25-54/18-49/18-34); and 90 Day Fiancé (averaged 1.7M P2+ viewers this fall season). The positive ratings momentum continues into 1Q16, as TLC Prime is up double-digits vs. the previous quarter, led by strong returning and new series including My 600-lb Life; Little Couple and new series Skin Tight and Married By Mom and Dad off to a strong start.

Formerly, Daniels served as EVP, Production & Development for Discovery Channel, contributing to the network’s recent record-breaking success, and overseeing the network’s focus on live events – notably Skywire Live and American Chopper Live, as well as some of their most popular shows including American Chopper, Bering Sea Gold, Fast N’ Loud, Naked And Afraid, Gold Rush, the special The Presidents’ Gatekeepers, and the Emmy nominated All The President’s Men Revisited, Deadliest Catch, Mythbusters and Frozen Planet.

Concurrently, Daniels served as General Manager, Discovery Fit & Health, where she had been managing the day-to-day operations of the network. Prior to these positions, she served as Senior Vice President, Production and Development for TLC, overseeing all execution for the network's programming. While there, Daniels oversaw the launch of new diverse hits, including Cake Boss, The Little Couple, Sister Wives, Sarah Palin’s Alaska, the Policewomen franchise and Four Weddings. At the same time, she guided the strength and resurgence of TLC’s longest running hits What Not To Wear and Say Yes To The Dress.

Daniels joined Discovery Communications in 2007 as Vice President of Development and Production for Discovery Studios (West Coast) and was subsequently elevated to Senior Vice President. She has also held executive positions at CBS where she served as Vice President of Alternative Series Development, working on CBS’s key reality properties including Survivor, multiple Emmy Award-winner The Amazing Race and Big Brother, and has had an extensive career as a producer in the independent television community.

Speaking on: Opening Remarks