Jana Bennett

Jana Bennett is the executive vice president and general manager of TLC North America, responsible for its programming, operations and management. She joined TLC in September 1999, bringing twenty years of media experience to the award-winning reality-focused cable network that broadcasts to more than 76.8 million U.S. and 6.8 million Canadian households. Bennett also oversees Discovery Networks' large format initiatives, including the upcoming IMAX film The Human Body.

Bennett spearheaded TLC's launch of the new "Human TV," branding campaign, signifying the network's strong focus on bringing a life unscripted approach to the fascinating human experience. During her tenure, TLC received its first-ever Academy Award nomination for On the Ropes, and has achieved record-setting ratings for such programs as the Emmy award-winning series Trauma: Life in the ER. Working with producers around the world, Bennett has brought innovative new genres of programming to the network, including the American launch of Junkyard Wars and the highly anticipated BBC co-production The Human Face with John Cleese.

Bennett, an American native, began her broadcasting career in 1979 as a BBC News journalist, moving into BBC television production in 1981. She was steadily promoted within the BBC, and ultimately appointed Director (president) of Programmes in May 1999. Bennett was also Deputy Chief Executive, BBC Production, with oversight responsibility for the BBC's 4,500-person production staff. In addition, she served on the BBC's Board of Management. During her tenure, she oversaw the BBC production of the award-winning mini-series, Intimate Universe: The Human Body and Walking with Dinosaurs, both of which made their American premieres on Discovery Networks. For her years of service to science broadcasting, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon Bennett the prestigious Order of the British Empire in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in late 2000.

Bennett holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from St. Anne's College, Oxford University, and a Master of Science in Economics and Political Science (International Relations and strategic analysis) from the London School of Economics. From 1996-99, she served on the Copus Committee for the Public Understanding of Science. In 1998, she was a Trustee of the Natural History Museum in London. Bennett authored a chapter on "Science and Television" for 1997's Here and Now, Contemporary Science and Technology, and co-authored (with John Simpson) The Disappeared: Voices from Argentina's Dirty War, in 1985.