Cablefax The Magazine - May 2016 - 40

48. MAKING HISTORY
Jana Bennett
Title: President & GM, History
Years in Cable: 20
Education: Oxford University;
London School of Economics;
Wharton AMP
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Curious
Robert Sharenow
Title: EVP & GM, A&E Network and
Lifetime
Years in Cable: 15
Education: BA, Brandeis University;
MA, American Studies, NYU
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Hungry (literally and figuratively).
Bennett and Sharenow are two of
the reasons A+E Networks is at
the top of its game. Promoted in
September to the helm of History
after launching FYI and overseeing
the successful LMN rebrand,
Bennett led History to finish 2015
in the top 10 among A25-54 for the
seventh consecutive year. Building
on recent specials on Donald Trump
and the Paris attacks, look for her
to continue to probe more recent
historical events-not to mention
the premiere of miniseries " Roots. "
Also promoted last year, Sharenow
is steering innovation at A&E and
Lifetime, including the concert
Shining a Light: A Concert for
Progress on Race in America and
accompanying special, which aired
across the A+E Nets portfolio and
reached 12 million Total Viewers.
He also oversaw Lifetime's original
scripted series " UnREAL, " which
launched as the network's most
critically acclaimed scripted series.
Jana Bennett
What does the future look like
for skinny bundles and flexible
packaging? The future looks
premium and more flexible.
Virtual reality is... getting really
interesting.
49. HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES
Eric Shanks
Title: President & Executive Producer, Fox Sports
Years in Cable: 22
Education: Indiana University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Curious
Shanks has deftly guided Fox Sports from the
analog era to the digital era, all while building a
national sports network into an economic and
creative success. He's scored big time by advocating
for more integrated community outreach,
which has resulted in an expanded Fox Sports
Supports and Fox Sports University initiatives.
The biggest innovation in cable over the last
year: Customer service
What does the future look like for skinny
bundles and flexible packaging? More
consumer choice
Virtual reality is: Finding its way
Last show I watched not on my network(s):
40
cablefaxmag.com
Last show I watched not on my
network(s): " Narcos " & " O.J. "
If this election year was a reality
TV series, it would be called...
" Your Vote Really Counts "
I watch the majority of programming
on this device: A big
smart TV set
My favorite newfound hobby:
Border collie agility training
Favorite vacation spot: HauteAlpes,
France
My typical breakfast is: oatbran
and berries
My Starbucks order: I order at an
artisanal place in Grand Central
Station... but it's an Americano
without trimmings, thanks!
Robert Sharenow
Last show I watched not on my
network(s): I'm a big fan of " Broad
City, " " Veep, " and " Catastrophe. " I
guess I like funny women.
My first job: It wasn't my first
job, but the only job I ever quit was
updating and writing entries for the
single volume Columbia Encyclopedia
(1995 Edition). I was one of a
half dozen Ph.D. candidates locked
in an airless room researching
" Baskets " on FX
My first job: Farming
Favorite charity event you work with: Boys &
Girls Clubs
What excites you most about DOCSIS 3.1?
DOCSIS 3.2
If this election year was a reality TV series, it
would be called... It is a reality TV series.
What was the last costume that you wore
and why? Ha. Honestly can't remember, but I
am sure it was fantastic.
What should cable do to improve its image?
Innovative products and services rather than fights
Best way to spend a Saturday night: A big UFC PPV
Name of my favorite Spotify playlist: Bluegrass
Brunch
New favorite binge: Snapchat Stories
My cable industry mentor and why: David Hill:
Showman, Storyteller, Innovator-not just sports.
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Driverless
car
I watch the majority of programming on
May 2016
Cablefax: The Magazine
arcane facts about South East Asia
and this was before people used
the internet for research. It was not
for me.
If this election year was a reality
TV series, it would be called...
" The Primary Colored Apprentice "
What was the last costume that
you wore and why? I was the
beast from " Beauty and the Beast "
in an elaborate group custom of
several Disney Princesses and
Princes for a friend's party. It was
all fun and games until I had to
fight a dude dressed as Gaston.
I watch the majority of programming
on this device: Tie between TV
and computer (desktop and laptop).
My Starbucks order: Grande iced
Americano with extra ice, not much
water and a splash of half and half. ■
this device: TV
Favorite Podcast: " This American Life "
My favorite newfound hobby: Street hockey
with my kids
My personal theme song is: " Pink Houses "
The technology that will most benefit cable
over the next year is: New measurement tools
for viewership
My typical breakfast is: Egg whites
My Starbucks order: Medium black coffee with
just enough ice to be able to drink it right away ■
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