Courteney Monroe appointed as the new CEO of National Geographic Global Networks; Ward Platt the new COO of National Geographic Partners.

Courteney Monroe has been appointed as the new CEO of National Geographic Global Networks.

Courteney Monroe now becomes the new National Geographic Channels boss who will be in charge of channels like National Geographic Channel (DStv 181) and Nat Geo Wild (DStv 182).

She will oversee global programming, operations and global marketing for the portfolio of National Geographic Channels worldwide, and will also be in charge of National Geographic Studios, the in-house TV production studio making shows like Brain Games and Explorer.

Courteney Monroe had been the CEO of National Geographic Channels in the United States.

Meanwhile Ward Platt, currently the chief operating officer (COO) of Fox International Channels and CEO of National Geographic Channels International has been appointed in the new position of COO of National Geographic Partners.

In this position Ward Platt will oversee the entire portfolio of National Geographic Partners' businesses, including channels distribution, advertising revenue, digital publishing, licensing, travel and consumer products. He will also look after the National Geographic Partners' international operations.

Hamish Mykura, National Geographic Channels International vice president and head of content remains in his position.

The appointments come after 21st Century Fox completed its deal to take majority control of National Geographic and started firing 10% of the overall staff earlier this month.

"Upon completing the transaction to form National Geographic Partners, we are thrilled to bring these incredibly talented executives to the senior leadership team," says Declan Moore, CEO of National Geographic Partners chief Moore said in a statement.

"We're excited to officially begin our journey to bring a new and integrated National Geographic experience to people worldwide, and I look forward to partnering with Ward Platt and working with Susan Goldberg, Courteney Monroe and Jeffrey Schneider to share the National Geographic mission with an even larger audience," says Declan Moore.

BREAKING. Further National Geographic Channel management shakeup as National Geographic's executive overhaul widens.

David Lyle is suddenly also out the door at National Geographic Channels as CEO, following Howard T. Owens who is a gonner as president of National Geographic Channels.

David Lyle was CEO for just three years and his exit is part of an entire management shakeup and top executive overhaul at National Geographic's TV business.

Under David Lyle's tenure viewers in South Africa and Africa saw Nat Geo shows like Killing Lincoln, Brain Games, Wicked Tuna, Killing Kennedy, SEAL Team Six and the latest National Geographic Channel showcase series, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.

Courteney Monroe who has been the chief marketing officer for National Geographic Channels in the United States since January 2012 is taking over as new CEO from David Lyle.

Nat Geo is also announcing that David Hill - a member of the National Geographic Channels board of directors and who is a senior executive vice president of National Geographic shareholder 21st Century Fox - is adding the title of chairman of National Geographic Channels US.

What this means is that David Hill is again taking on a much more influential role at Nat Geo - which he basically ran for half a year before David Lyle was made CEO in 2011.

"I am taking my leave as CEO of National Geographic Channels," says David Lyle. "I am exhilarated but somewhat saddened also".

"Both Nat Geo WILD and National Geographic Channel have introduced great franchise series that stand them in good stead for the future," says David Lyle.

The majority of the programming of National Geographic Channels US are channeled through to the National Geographic Channel (DStv 181), Nat Geo WILD (DStv 182) and Nat Geo GOLD (StarSat 300) seen on MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media's StarSat satellite pay-TV platforms in South Africa.

Howard Owens out as president of National Geographic Channels; no successor named.

Howard T. Owens is gone as president of National Geographic Channels, with no successor named.

Howard T. Owens joined National Geographic in November 2011.

In his two years there, he was responsible for programming such as Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy, Cesar 911, SEAL Team Six, The '80s: The Decade That Made Us which South African viewers saw on the National Geographic Channel (DStv 181).

He also launched series like Wicked Tuna, Brain Games and Ultimate Survival Alaska.

Howard T. Owens is apparently going into independent TV production.

"As I get ready for my next adventure, I can't help but reflect on what has been an incredible experience for me, both personally and professionally," says Howard T. Owens in a statement.

"National Geographic Channels have some of the brightest minds in the television business, and I'm proud of the work we have accomplished together - specifically in defining the National Geographic Channels as a destination for innovative, original and brand-defining creativity."