Former Disney Channel and Disney XD exec Nikki Reed has joined Discovery/Hasbro US children’s net The Hub as SVP of programming & development, where among her first order of business is growing the cablenet’s programming slate to include more live-action series.

Reed replaces Donna Ebbs, who served as The Hub’s first programming chief and helped launch the network in October 2010. Ebbs has transitioned to a new role as a consultant and an executive producer for The Hub and is responsible for pursuing and developing several new properties and securing unique production opportunities for the network.

Reed will lead development and programming for the network, tapping into her relationships with writers, producers and talent to grow its existing programming lineup and add more live-action series. The network’s live-action series R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour was the third most-watched original series among kids two to 11 last year.

Reed will also work with the network’s senior management team, including president and CEO Margaret Loesch, to whom she will report, on creative development and overall strategic planning and direction.

Her experience spans 15 years developing feature films and television series, including live-action series geared towards kids and tweens like Disney’s Jessie, Dog with a Blog and Lab Rats. Before Disney, Reed was the VP of current and development at Universal Cable Productions. She also spent five years as a development executive for executive producer Barry Kemp’s Bungalow 78 Productions while it was based at Touchstone Television.

The Hub, now available to more than 70 million US households, closed 2012 with consecutive ratings success attributed to the solid debut of Littlest Pet Shop, which was the top-ranked original series on the network last year.