Jana Bennett has been promoted to President and General Manager of HISTORY(R), effective immediately, it was announced today by Paul Buccieri, President of A&E(R) and HISTORY. Bennett, who joined A+E Networks(R) in 2013 as President of FYI™ and LMN(R), two of the fastest growing networks in the company's portfolio, will be responsible for overseeing all strategic planning, programming, marketing and brand development for HISTORY and H2. Based in New York, she will report directly to Buccieri.
Regarding the announcement, Nancy Dubuc, President and CEO of A+E Networks, added, "Jana has one of the strongest track records building and shaping global brands - first at the BBC and now here at A+E Networks. She joined our company with the mandate to take our networks into new and exciting places and what she's done with FYI in such a short amount of time is remarkable. HISTORY and
H2 will greatly benefit from her creative prowess and steady stewardship."
Buccieri said, "I have long been a fan of Jana's work, particularly with what she's done with FYI and LMN. Her vast experience in all genres of programming, marketing, distribution and digital is unparalleled and I'm very much looking forward to working with her at HISTORY."
"I have a passion for HISTORY - where we've come from and where we are headed," said Bennett. "I am thrilled that I have been asked by Nancy and Paul to lead the team that will bring one of the strongest and most respected brands across the globe into new and exciting territory."
Bennett replaces Dirk Hoogstra, who will return to his roots in independent production. A+E Networks will commence a search for Bennett's replacement at FYI and LMN.
"We thank Dirk for his many contributions to HISTORY," added Buccieri. "He was the force behind some of the network's greatest successes that helped propel HISTORY to become one of entertainment's top brands."
Under Bennett's leadership, FYI was rebranded from BIO in the U.S. on July 8, 2014, in Canada on September 1, 2014 and across Southeast Asia markets on October 6, 2014. In just its first year on-air, FYI experienced double-digit ratings growth, led by the introduction of groundbreaking new hit series, including Married at First Sight, Arranged, Seven Year Switch, Tiny House Nation,
TINY HOUSE HUNTING and Man vs. Child: Chef Showdown. FYI has also become the number one upscale entertainment network on ad-supported cable, while 1Q15 and 2Q15 are the network's best quarters since its re-brand among Adults 25-54.
She also spearheaded the reinvention of the LMN brand, introducing new original unscripted series to the portfolio, including the new hit series Escaping Polygamy, I Love You But I Lied and Monster In My Family. As a result, year-to-date LMN is up in every day part versus a year ago among Women 25-54 and claims its youngest median age since 2006.
Prior to joining A+E Networks, Bennett was President of BBC Worldwide Networks & Global BBC iPlayer. During her role at BBC Worldwide, she was responsible for 16 branded channels, across 100 countries, reaching 380 million subscriber homes. Under Bennett's management, the channels' businesses became the company's fastest growing division in terms of revenue. In digital media, Bennett led the development and launch of the subscription VOD service, BBC iPlayer in 16 overseas markets and served on the board of UKTV, Britain's largest day TV group.
Prior to that role, Bennett headed up BBC Television and was responsible for the BBC's 6 free-to-air channels in the UK. Under her leadership, numerous award-winning and hit series were launched across all genres, including Planet Earth, Top Gear, Meet the Ancestors, Our War, Sherlock, Walking with the Dinosaurs, Doctor Who, and Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars. Bennett has proven to be a successful leader in both the UK and the U.S. television markets. She previously held the position of EVP and General Manager of
TLC Network and Discovery Pictures. While in this role, she helped redefine the
TLC network with launching such hit series as Trading Spaces, What Not to Wear, and Junkyard Wars.
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