For the fourth time since the TV season began, a broadcast network has a new head programmer. Following in the footsteps of CBS, NBC and Fox, the WB has made a switch at the top.

Susanne Daniels has been named president of the WB's entertainment division. She replaces Garth Ancier, who will remain with the network as a "consultant" until his contract expires in May. And this switch appears to be directly related to earlier changes that took place at NBC.Just last month, Warren Littlefield left his job as president of NBC Entertainment and was replaced by Scott Sassa. And the Peacock has already announced that, when NBC West Coast president Don Ohlmeyer leaves his job sometime in 1999, Sassa will step up to that post.

Rumors have run rampant that Sassa wants to hire Ancier to head NBC's programming department. The WB's actions make that seem pretty much like a sure thing, particularly when Ancier issues a statement saying, "There were other opportunities and challenges that are out there right now that I want to pursue."

Daniels, 33, is no newcomer to either television or the WB. After stints at ABC and Fox, she was named executive vice president, programming (Ancier's chief lieutenant) at the WB before it went on the air in January 1995. (And the trade publication The Hollywood Reporter has listed Daniels on its "most powerful women in entertainment" lists for the past two years.)

She is married to Greg Daniels, the co-creator and executive producer of Fox's "King of the Hill." Which means that she will be responsible for attempting to beat her husband's show in the ratings.

WOMEN RULE? Susanne Daniels' promotion makes her the third woman to be named head of a broadcast network's programming department. That's great progress, but not total progress.

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All three female presidents report to male bosses who are ultimately responsible for programming decisions.

CBS entertainment president Nancy Tellem reports to CBS president Leslie Moonves.

ABC entertainment president Jamie Tarses was only months into her tenure when Stu Bloomberg was brought in as chairman of ABC Entertainment.

And at the WB, Daniels reports to CEO Jamie Kellner.

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