PBS ‘Need to Know’ EP Joins Current TV as Programming Exec

SHELLEY LEWIS APPOINTED AS CURRENT TV’S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMMING

Veteran Executive from PBS, CNN, ABC and NBC, Air America Takes On Key Role As Current Focuses on News and Political Commentary

New York, (September 15, 2011) – Current TV, the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning television network, has tapped network news and digital executive Shelley Lewis as Executive Vice President, Programming, for Current TV.  Lewis, who most recently was Executive Producer of PBS’s weekly news magazine, “Need to Know,” will begin her new post September 19^th and will report to Current TV President, David Bohrman.

Lewis brings significant experience in broadcast news, digital content, and in launching new programming initiatives to Current.  At Current, she will drive the network’s recent focus on news analysis and political commentary, with an initial focus on primetime.

She was co-creator of Air America Radio and served as its senior programming executive until 2006.  Lewis also created and launched several shows at CNN, including the prime time program “Greenfield at Large” and was executive producer of “American Morning” with Paula Zahn.  While at CNN, she also executive produced New York based coverage during the initial months of the Iraq war in 2003.

“I’ve had the great fortune of working with Shelley Lewis in the past, and she’s a great fit for what Current is doing,” said David Bohrman.  “She is a great idea person and team leader and has the perfect combination of relationships, experience and entrepreneurial drive to help us establish Current as a new kind of multi-screen news experience for a new kind of news viewer.”

“I’m thrilled to become a part of the Current team. This is exactly the right time, and these are the right people, to launch innovative programming for viewers craving a fresh take on the news.”

Prior to CNN, Lewis executive produced numerous news programs at ABC News, most notably “Good Morning America” from 1997-1998, and also worked for Bohrman at ABC’s “World News Now.”  She also created and launched programs for television companies, including for Lifetime and Discovery, as co-ventures with ABC.

Lewis began her career as a news writer and producer at NBC Radio, where she was also an on air reporter on news and feature programs. She was the first woman in the country to executive produce a daily news program when she was named executive producer of NBC News at Sunrise, and later produced Real Life with Jane Pauley, among other programs.

About Current Media:

Current Media, the Peabody-and Emmy Award-winning television and online network founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, features the very best in commentary and information programming. Home to the newly launched “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” as well as the celebrated documentary series “Vanguard,” Current is dedicated to providing insightful analysis of important issues – and digging deep into real stories to uncover how they affect real people. Current shines a light where other networks won’t dare and boldly explores provocative subjects – opening minds, sparking conversations and forming deep connections with its viewers. Current creates the commentary and delivers the independent, unexpected point-of-view our viewers want and need to hear. Current is media that matters.