Kevin Bennett Named Vice President of Programming and Development for Investigation Discovery
-- First Executive Appointment by New President and General Manager, Henry Schleiff --
August 24, 2009
(New York, N.Y.) After taking the helm of Investigation Discovery on August 3, president and general manager Henry Schleiff named his first executive appointment today, tapping Kevin Bennett as vice president of programming and development for Investigation Discovery. Bennett will now have direct responsibility for all aspects of ID's programming from development concept through premiere, along with the scheduling of all dayparts. Also, Bennett's new responsibilities include oversight of production for ID. Based at Discovery Communication's Silver Spring headquarters, Bennett will report directly to Schleiff.
"By helping build the network's brand from the ground up, Kevin has played a leading role in the success of ID since its launch in January 2008," said Henry Schleiff, president and general manager for ID. "I am delighted to now have Kevin serve in this position where he will be singularly focused on the exponential growth of ID while overseeing our programming from development thru production, as well as the scheduling of the entire network. On a personal note, I think it's great when you have someone like Kevin, who is so well respected by his colleagues and peers, and who provides you with the opportunity to make such a well-deserved promotion from the talented team within Discovery."
A 13-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 ID. Under Bennett's programming direction, Investigation Discovery has experienced 18 consecutive months of year-over-year primetime gains among households since its launch making it the fastest-growing cable network among the coveted demographic of women, 25-54.
Most recently, Bennett served as vice president, programming and development within Discovery's Emerging Networks. Bennett's experience working with these brands began as director of programming for Discovery Times Channel starting in 2002, and responsibility as director of programming for Military Channel was added 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 and legal assistant in Washington, D.C. Bennett received a master of arts in communication theory and research, and a bachelor of arts in communication studies, from West Virginia University.
About ID
Investigation Discovery (ID) is the source for fact-based investigative content about culture, history and the human condition. ID, the authority in real investigations, is expanding partnerships with leading news organizations and production companies to bring the strongest analytic, factual and current affairs programming to more than 54 million U.S. households. Providing the highest-quality investigative programming focused on fascinating stories of human nature from the past to the present, Investigation Discovery's in-depth documentaries and series explore life's mysteries and challenge viewers on important issues shaping our culture. For more information, please visit www.investigationdiscovery.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) 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. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.