Robert Sharenow new Lifetime programming chief

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If Lifetime, once known as the channel for women, starts to look a lot more like A&E, it’s no accident. A&E’s top programming executive is moving over to Lifetime.

As part of a wider restructuring at A&E Television Networks -- parent of cable channels A&E, Lifetime and History -- Robert Sharenow has been named executive vice president of programming at Lifetime. Sharenow had been a senior vice president of A&E.

Sharenow is essentially taking over for JoAnn Alfano, who resigned as executive vice president of entertainment two weeks ago.

Most of Sharenow’s experience is in non-scripted programming, an area where Lifetime has had little success.

Sharenow’s move to Lifetime set off a round of musical chairs at AETN. David McKillop, who had been a senior vice president of programming at History, will now become executive vice president of programming for A&E. Dirk Hoogstra, vice president of programming at History, has been bumped up to senior vice president.

-- Joe Flint