Steve Ronson, Executive Vice President, Enterprises, A&E Television Networks oversees AETN’s International, AETN Consumer Products, Home Entertainment and the Digital Media teams. He drives the company’s business development and digital strategy, focused on distribution in the US and abroad.
Mr. Ronson leads AETN’s emerging business units and is charged with connecting consumers/viewers to AETN’s web properties, Aetv.com, History.com and Bio.com, as well as the distribution of content through download-to-own (DTO), DVD, short form syndication, e-commerce and mobile devices. He reports to Abbe Raven, President and CEO of A&E Television Networks.
In 2005, Steve led the team that launched Crime & Investigation Network™ which debuted in Australia on the FOXTEL platform. He also oversaw the launch of the company’s first international HD service, The History Channel HD in the UK in October 2006. In June 2007, AETN entered into a landmark joint venture in South East Asia with Astro All Asia Network, launching both The History Channel and Crime & Investigation Network in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand.
Under Mr. Ronson’s management, AETN Home Entertainment continues to expand its portfolio of DVD releases, including notable A&E Network products featuring the hit series, Criss Angel Mindfreak and Gene Simmons Family Jewels, and History Channel releases, The Universe and Ice Road Truckers. Off network products include releases from acclaimed franchises as Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the complete Gerry Anderson library (Carlton), Mr. Bean (Tiger Aspect), the Thames Library, which comprises 1,000 hours of programming including The Benny Hill Show (FremantleMedia), The Prisoner (Carlton), Kids in the Hall (Broadway Video), and many others. A&E Home Video recently expanded into sports and music which has led to partnerships with leading content suppliers including Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, Collegiate Images (Notre Dame Football) and Paul McCartney.
Mr. Ronson joined A&E Television Networks in July 2000 as Vice President & General Manager of AETN Consumer Products, and was appointed Senior Vice President of AETN Enterprises in December 2003, and Executive Vice President, Enterprises in September 2006.
Previously, Mr. Ronson was the Senior Vice President, GMM at Things Remembered (a division of Cole National Corp.), an 800 store national mall-based retailer. Prior to that, Mr. Ronson was C.O.O. of a children’s sports & lifestyle retailer 3 Sixty, Inc. He spent six years as Vice President, General Merchandise Manager for Barnes & Noble College Bookstores, and five years at Calvin Klein Inc. He earned a B.S. in Management & Finance from Cornell University and an MBA in Marketing & Strategic Planning from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Mr. Ronson resides in Stamford, Connecticut with his wife and two children.
AETN Consumer Products develops brand extensions for A&E Network, The History Channel and Bio. The division is comprised of A&E Home Video, e-commerce and Licensing, which together make up a portfolio of products and services that include DVD and download-to-own (DTO) distribution, ShopAETV.com, and The History Channel Club, as well as licensed products in publishing, games, music and other categories.
A division of A&E Television Networks, AETN International markets the quality programming and proven success of The History Channel®, A&E®, The Biography Channel®, Crime & Investigation Network™ and The History Channel HD™ overseas. Through innovative local partnerships and affiliates, AETN International has expanded the presence of AETN channels and branded blocks around the world. In addition to licensing AETN channels, AETN International handles syndicated sales, format sales and short form sales for broadband and mobile of programs from the A&E and The History Channel catalog to international broadcasters. AETN channels and programs are now available in more than 135 countries to over 245 million TV households. AETN International has offices in New York, London and Singapore. The AETN International website is located at www.AETNinternational.com.
A&E Television Networks, a joint venture of The Hearst Corporation, ABC, Inc. and NBC, is an award-winning international media company that offers a diverse communications portfolio. The network brands include television programming, interactive media, home videos/DVDs, licensed products and direct-to-consumer services. A&E Television Networks is composed of A&E Network, The History Channel, BIO, History International, The History Channel en Españolâ, Military History Channel™, Crime & Investigation Network, A&E HD™, The History Channel HD™, BIO HD™, AETN Consumer Products and AETN International. The AETN Web sites include www.AETV.com, www.bio.com and www.History.com.
