Jana Bennett appointed BBC Director of Television

The BBC have appointed Jana Bennett as Director of BBC Television.
Currently Executive Vice President and General Manager with Discovery Communications in the USA, and a former BBC Director of Production, Jana will join the BBC in her new role in April 2002.
BBC Director-General Greg Dyke said: "Jana’s experience and success over the last two and a half years, running a channel in the American multi-channel market, gives her an invaluable perspective. Her track record at the BBC was brilliant, she is well respected, well liked and has achieved great success since going to the States. We’re delighted to welcome her back to the BBC."
Bennet’s award-winning production record, notably in science and factual, includes 'Walking with Dinosaurs', 'The Human Body', 'Meet the Ancestors' and 'Back to the Floor'. In 2000 she was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to science broadcasting.
Bennet said: "This is an incredibly exciting time for the BBC with the reinvigoration of BBC One and BBC Two, the launch of the new channels and the challenge to keep raising the creative benchmark. I’m really looking forward to working with Greg and the new Executive team to make sure the BBC is in strong shape, with a clear vision for the future.
"My time with Discovery, and particularly in building TLC (The Learning Channel), has been incredibly fulfilling. The joy of returning to the BBC in this role is that Discovery is an important partner so the links will remain strong."
During her time at TLC, Bennet launched the 'Life Unscripted' branding campaign, which defined the networks’ eclectic approach to programming. She generated highly successful series including Junkyard Wars and Trading Spaces. She also oversaw the production and international launch of the Discovery Pictures/BBC large format film The Human Body, based on the TV series she originally helped create.
(GB)