Discovery Emerging Networks Names Kevin Bennett Vice President of Programming and Development for Investigation Discovery and Military Channel
July 16, 2008
(Silver Spring, Md.) To oversee programming strategies and development for both Investigation Discovery and Military Channel, Kevin Bennett has been promoted to vice president, programming and development for Discovery Emerging Networks. In his newly expanded role with the unit, Bennett will be responsible for designing all network programming strategies; conceptualizing and developing network series, specials, stunts and acquisitions; representing each network’s programming strategy to the production community; and overseeing scheduling for all dayparts. Bennett will report to Deborah Adler Myers, senior vice president, programming for Discovery Emerging Networks.
“Kevin’s enthusiasm, dedication and depth of knowledge have been critical in elevating every television network he has worked on throughout his career at Discovery,” said Deborah Myers, senior vice president, programming for Discovery Emerging Networks. “Most recently, his vision and hard work helped us define both Military Channel and Investigation Discovery by enhancing each network’s breadth of programming and contributing to their exponential growth.”
A 12-year programming and development veteran with Discovery Communications, Bennett has been instrumental in the development of three networks – Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Times Channel and Investigation Discovery. Under Bennett’s programming and development direction, Investigation Discovery has more than doubled in ratings growth for total day P25-54 from 2Q 2006 to 2Q 2008. In addition, Military Channel has experienced double-digit ratings growth for total day P25-54 from 1Q 2006 to 1Q 2008.
Most recently, Bennett served as director, programming and development for ID and Military Channel. Bennett began as director of programming for Discovery Times Channel starting in 2002 and later added the responsibility of director of programming for Military Channel in early 2007. Prior to his work with these networks, Bennett served as director of scheduling for Discovery Health Channel where he developed the network’s scheduling strategies and established the acquisition department when the network launched in August 1999. Bennett first joined Discovery Communications in April 1996 as a senior research analyst for Discovery Channel where he assessed future program schedules; maintained databases of ratings and programming research; and evaluated Nielsen ratings for Discovery and its competitors.
Before joining Discovery Communications, Bennett was a researcher/writer for Slater Hall Information Products. He began his career as a legal assistant in Washington, D.C. Bennett received both a master of arts in communication theory and research and a bachelor of arts in communication studies from West Virginia University.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the world’s number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery’s founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.