Kim Martin Steps Down As WE TV President, Segues To Advisory Role At AMC Networks

EXCLUSIVE: Kim Martin is leaving her post as president and GM of WE tv after nine years. She won’t be departing the company completely — she is transitioning into an advisory role at AMC Networks, reporting to CEO Josh Sapan. A replacement is expected to be named shortly. The network is keeping mum on its plans though observers note that the move comes days after top cable executive Lauren Zalaznick left NBCUniversal. Still, sources close to her dismiss the idea of her taking over WE. “Kim is an extremely talented executive with an impressive track record at WE tv,” AMC Networks COO Ed Carroll said in an internal memo sent earlier this morning. “Under her leadership, the network’s distribution has grown, viewership is up and WE tv is a top 3 women’s network on Thursday and Friday nights… I want to thank Kim for her many contributions to the company. Her leadership, commitment to excellence and her unflagging enthusiasm have made her a key member of the executive team, and has cemented WE tv’s reputation as a great place to work.” In the just released cable network rankings, WE averaged 350,000 primetime total viewers in Q3, up a healthy 29% from last year. In Women 18-49, the network drew 125,000 viewers, up 15%. WE tv, which evolved from airing commercial-free movies to a network for unscripted series, led by flagship Braxton Family Values, is undergoing another brand transition. WE recently greenlighted its first scripted series, The Divide.