The AE Networks on Monday promoted Nancy Dubuc, one of the most successful programmers in cable television, to become its next chief executive, overseeing such networks as AE, History and Lifetime.

Ms. Dubuc will follow Abbe Raven, a 30-year veteran of AE, who at the same time was named to a new position, chairwoman of AE Networks.

The appointment succeeds in retaining an executive who had become one of the most sought-after in the television business. Ms. Dubuc has experienced a rapid ascent at AE, largely on the basis on her extraordinary success in leading the History Channel from a mostly obscure, middle-of-the-pack cable network to a spot at the top of the industry. The network has improved its ratings and profits for six consecutive years.

When Ms. Raven was chief executive and Ms. Dubuc was running the entertainment operations, the AE networks had a long run of ratings success, currently owning 18 of the top 50 entertainment shows on cable. Among those recent hits are “Duck Dynasty” on AE, and “The Bible” and “Hatfields McCoys” on History, all of which have set ratings records for their networks.

Mr. Dubuc said in a telephone interview that she attributed the company’s run of success to “remaining as close as possible to the creative community.” In her new position, she said, she will try to keep her hands on the programming decisions for the networks. “My heart has always been in programming and marketing,” she said.

She acknowledged that she had been the subject of interest from other quarters of the television business, including among the broadcast networks. “It is very flattering,” she said, “but I have never doubted that cable is the place I want to be.”

She also said that executives at the parent companies of AE — the Walt Disney Corporation and the Hearst Corporation — had made plain that they were interested in retaining her. She said the Disney chairman and chief executive, Bob Iger, was “especially interested and generous.”

Ms. Raven, who brought Ms. Dubuc to History 15 years ago, praised her as a “terrific programmer” and said she was proud that AE would continue a tradition of naming new chief executives from within the staff. Ms. Raven said she expected to “explore new strategies and business initiatives” from her post as chairwoman.

Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/business/media/nancy-dubuc-named-new-chief-of-ae-networks.html?partner=rss&emc=rss