Oprah Winfrey Network replaces CEO

OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, the joint venture channel between the US talk show host and Discovery Communications, has replaced chief executive Christina Norman with Discovery chief operating officer and former Fox exec Peter Liguori.

This comes as the network has struggled to boost ratings since its launch on January 1 2011. Liguori will become interim chief executive immediately and will be part of the team that searches for a permanent replacement. He joined Discovery in 2009 and oversees Discovery’s interests in its other JV channels including The Hub and 3Net as well as the company’s production businesses. He was previously president and entertainment for Fox.

Peter is Discovery’s creative leader, and highly qualified to assume the leadership at OWN for the next phase of growth,” said David Zaslav, chief executive, Discovery Communications. “Christina did a great job launching OWN with long-term support from both advertising and affiliate partners. Peter will now ensure that OWN reaches its full creative potential with great programming that delivers on Oprah’s vision, mission and brand.”