David Lyle is a veteran television executive whose career spans 25 years across more than 20 countries, with a proven track record developing factual and unscripted multiplatform/multi-window content, both domestically and globally. He is chief executive officer of the National Geographic Channels US with responsibility for global programming, based in Washington, D.C.
Lyle oversees the domestic channels — which include the National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD and Nat Geo Mundo —owned jointly by the Fox Networks Group and the National Geographic Society. Before becoming CEO, he spearheaded the opening of a West Coast Development Office for National Geographic Channels, working on a full spectrum of shows for NGC and NG Wild.
Prior to that, he was President of Fox LOOK where he oversaw a business unit of Fox Networks Group specializing in the international licensing and production of unscripted programming. The unit managed shows such as “Temptation Island,” “Beauty and the Geek,” “Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé,” and “Celebrity Spelling Bee.”
Starting in 2005, Mr. Lyle was President of Fox Reality Channel where he oversaw the launch of notable series such as American Idol Extra, The Academy, Solitary, Long Way Down, Househusbands of Hollywood and the Fox Reality Channel Really Awards. He also has served in senior executive positions at successful production and television companies, such as FremantleMedia, Pearson Television, andAustralia’s Nine Network.
While President of Entertainment at FremantleMedia North America, Mr. Lyle led a team that launched and guided American Idol to three seasons of incredible growth. Mr. Lyle was instrumental in helping FremantleMedia North America increase diversification of programming for the company, as he produced primetime network shows and key series for major outlets including MTV, Lifetime, TLC, GSN, Pax TV, and Food Network.
Mr. Lyle joined FremantleMedia North America in 2001 after working in Londonfor international unscripted programming powerhouse Pearson Television, where he was Worldwide Head of Acquisition and Development. At Nine Network in Sydney, Australia, Mr. Lyle served as Head of Development. Nine, with Mr. Lyle leading the charge, was among the first international broadcasters to create local versions of top formats like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Changing Rooms, the basis for TLC’s popular Trading Spaces in the U.S.
In addition to his corporate leadership, Mr. Lyle was a founding member of FRAPA (Format Recognition and Protection Association) and served as Chairman from 2000 to 2006. FRAPA brings together format creators from around the world to protect their intellectual property rights. He is called upon as an expert to lecture internationally on the topic.
A native of Sydney Australia, Lyle was an exploration geologist and high school chemistry teacher before entering the world of local television as a researcher, writer and producer.
About National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Cable Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in over 79 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channels International is available in more than 380 million homes in 165 countries and 38 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com.
About Nat Geo WILD
For more than 30 years, National Geographic has been the leader in wildlife programming. The networks Nat Geo WILD and Nat Geo WILD HD, launched in 2010, offer intimate encounters with nature’s ferocious fighters and gentle creatures of land, sea and air that draw upon the cutting-edge work of the many explorers, filmmakers and scientists of the National Geographic Society. Part of the National Geographic Channels US, based in Washington, D.C., the networks are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Cable Networks. In 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) debuted, and 10 years later, Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with Nat Geo WILD currently available in 55 million U.S. homes. Globally, Nat Geo WILD is available in more than 100 million homes in 90 countries and 28 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeowild.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chris Albert, 202-912-6526, CAlbert@natgeotv.com
Klatt, 202-912-6720, DKlatt@natgeotv.com