Kevin Bennett
General Manager - Investigation Discovery; EVP, Programming- Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel and Destination America
With almost two decades of programming and development experience at Discovery Communications, Kevin Bennett is the general manager of Investigation Discovery (ID), as well as the executive vice president of programming for ID, American Heroes Channel and Destination America.
In this role, Bennett leads a centralized programming, scheduling and research division across the three brands, and oversees the day-to-day programming and development efforts for ID, while advising on development efforts for American Heroes Channel and Destination America, working in conjunction with brand leaders Jane Latman (General Manager, American Heroes Channel) and Marc Etkind (General Manager, Destination America). As a key development executive, Bennett has helped to create many successful franchises including Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda, On the Case with Paula Zahn, I Almost Got Away with It, Disappeared, Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall and Momsters: When Moms Go Bad for ID, as well as Gunslingers, American Revolution and Against the Odds for AHC.
Bennett’s incomparable leadership since the launch of ID just seven years ago has catapulted the network to the spot as the #3 ad-supported cable network on television for W25-54, and the #6 ad-supported cable network for P25-54 in Total Day. With a devoted viewership, ID holds the #1 spot in Total Day for Length of Tune in all of television among P/W25-54, as well as the #1spot with both demos for Length of Tune in all of ad-supported cable. Closing out 2014, ID experienced its best year ever with double digit increased in Prime and Total Day delivery among all key demos.
Previously, Bennett was SVP of Programming at Discovery Channel, a key position on the flagship’s senior leadership team. There, he was responsible for planning, directing, and executing the programming strategy for the network, with oversight of all programming activities, including program planning, scheduling and programming budgets.
During his career at Discovery, Bennett has been instrumental in the launch of three networks – Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Times Channel and ID, where he held the position of VP of Programming prior to joining Discovery Channel. Bennett received a master of arts in communication theory and research, and a bachelor of arts in communication studies, from West Virginia University.