Christine Kuppens

As Vice President of Programming for the National Geographic Channel, Christine Kuppens is instrumental in developing the program strategy and determining what commissions, co-productions and acquisitions the Channel pursues. She was a member of the Channel team that launched National Geographic Channel on January 1, 2001 after just 6 months in operation.

Kuppens has over fifteen years of media experience, in both domestic and international markets. Prior to joining National Geographic Channel, she was Director of Programming for The Travel Channel. While at The Travel Channel, Kuppens was responsible for developing the Channel's program scheduling strategy as well as managing the sourcing, evaluation and negotiation of program acquisitions.

From 1997 to 1999 she was the Director of Program Planning, Operations and Sales for Discovery Networks International. Kuppens' responsibilities encompassed the management of programming budgets for twelve of Discovery's international networks, management of program license agreements with Discovery's joint venture partners in Canada and Germany as well as management of Discovery International's program sales business. Prior to joining Discovery Communications, Kuppens worked for Tele-TV Media as Director of Product Delivery and for Bell Atlantic Video Services where she managed the company's international and domestic interactive television trials.

Christine has an MBA from Georgetown University. She is a 2002 graduate of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute and holds the position of Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Women in Cable & Telecommunications, DC-Baltimore Chapter.