Lyle named Nat'l Geographic Channels CEO

LyleDavid Lyle has gone from Fox Look to the top of the National Geographic food chain in less than six months -- Lyle was officially named CEO of National Geographic Channels U.S. and global programming on Thursday morning. David Hill no longer oversees the network for joint venture partner Fox, but retains his seat on the board, to which Lyle reports.Lyle came to the network in March from Fox's recently shuttered format distribution unit, Fox Look, and Fox Reality Channel, which was rebranded in 2010 as National Geographic Wild. The exec oversaw National Geographic Channels' new West Coast development office, which opened earlier this year.National Geographic Channel prexy Steve Schiffman will report to Lyle, who will be based in Washington, D.C.''Heading up the National Geographic Channels is a dream job,'' Lyle said in a release. ''I will be working with an extraordinary brand and a great team that I've come to know and respect over the past few months.'' Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com