John S. Hendricks

John S. Hendricks is the Founder and Chairman of Discovery Communications, the number one nonfiction media company. Hendricks created Discovery Channel in 1985 as the first cable network in the United States designed to provide high quality documentary programming enabling people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity.

Hendricks has been the driving force behind Discovery’s dramatic growth, including the expansion of Discovery Communications from its core property, Discovery Channel, to current global operations in more than 170 countries and territories with more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers. Under Hendricks’ leadership, Discovery’s stable of networks now encompass more than 100 networks of distinctive programming representing 27 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel and HD Theater. Discovery’s other properties include Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce.

A visionary in the media industry, Hendricks has been honored with a Primetime Emmy Award and with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences highest honor, the Governors Award, for conceiving the TLC series, Great Books. The Ark Trust named him a recipient of the Genesis Award for lifetime achievement for his efforts in raising awareness around the globe about animal issues. Hendricks has also been recognized as the first corporate leader to receive the National Education Association’s Friend of Education award for “innovations in education and technology and greatly expanding educational opportunity for America’s schoolchildren.”

Hendricks serves on the board of directors of a number of non-profit organizations including the United States Olympic Committee and the National Forest Foundation.

Before 1985, Hendricks founded and served as president of the American Association of University Consultants (AAUC), a private consulting organization that specialized in television distribution, marketing and fundraising for educational programs and services. Hendricks holds a B.A. in history (magna cum laude, 1974) and an honorary doctorate (1991) from the University of Alabama, Huntsville.