BBC's Bennett to Run Emerging Nets at A+E

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A+E Networks is planning to hire BBC executive Jana Bennett as head of its emerging networks, Bio and LMN.

A+E's big networks -- History, A&E and Lifetime -- have gained ratings momentum with original program over the past year and the company is now looking to make a big investment in Bio and LMN, according to a source familiar with the plan.

The company has already been working on H2, the former History International network, which showed a 26% increase in viewers in the 25-54 year old demo during the first quarter. H2 reports to Dirk Hoogstra, executive VP of development and programming for History.

Bennett stepped down as president of worldwide networks at BBC Worldwide last June after a 30-year career at the British broadcaster. She also spent more than two years running Discovery Communications' TLC cable channel.

A+E's discussions with Bennett were first reported by Deadline.

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.