BBC's Bennett to Run Emerging Nets at A+E

By ( Broadcasting & Cable )
Published

A+E Networks is planning to hire BBC executive Jana Bennett as head of its emerging networks, Bio and LMN.

A+E's big networks -- History, A&E and Lifetime -- have gained ratings momentum with original program over the past year and the company is now looking to make a big investment in Bio and LMN, according to a source familiar with the plan.

The company has already been working on H2, the former History International network, which showed a 26% increase in viewers in the 25-54 year old demo during the first quarter. H2 reports to Dirk Hoogstra, executive VP of development and programming for History.

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Bennett stepped down as president of worldwide networks at BBC Worldwide last June after a 30-year career at the British broadcaster. She also spent more than two years running Discovery Communications' TLC cable channel.

A+E's discussions with Bennett were first reported by Deadline.

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Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.