Discovery Communications promotes TLC boss Eileen O’Neill

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Maybe Sarah Palin, the Cake Boss and Kate Gosselin should get thank you notes.

Eileen O’Neill, the president of the TLC cable channel, home to such hits as ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8,’ ‘Sister Wives’ and ‘Sarah Palin’s Alaska,’ has been given a big promotion by her bosses at Discovery Communications.

O’Neill will now have oversight over not only TLC, but also Discovery Channel, the flagship network of the cable programming giant. Her official title is Group President, Discovery and TLC Networks.

As a result of the restructuring, current Discovery Channel President Clark Bunting will report to O’Neill. TLC Chief Operating Officer Edward Sabin has been named interim general manager of TLC.

In making the announcement, Discovery Communications Chief Executive David Zaslav noted that under O’Neill, TLC has become a top-10 network for women. O’Neill has been with the company for more than two decades.

Others who got bumped up include Marjorie Kaplan, the president of Animal Planet who will now also have oversight over Science Channel, as well and Henry Schleiff, the president of Discovery ID who has added responsibility for Planet Green and FitTV to his business card.

-- Joe Flint