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BBC director of television Jana Bennett said: "Jane is an
exceptional creative talent, who has inspired programme makers -
both in house and independent - to deliver bigger and better ideas
for the audience."
Switching lanes: Jane
Root |
"From The Office to Great Britons and Eroica,
Jane's energy and passionate commitment to backing the best talent
and developing the most ambitious programmes are very much in evidence
on the screen. And, with programmes like Restoration and
The Big Read, she also pushed for them to have a life beyond
the screen and took them out into communities across the UK."
Speaking about Root's contribution in an official press release
Bennette said: "Jane's contribution to BBC TWO, steering it
to two Channel of the Year awards, and to BBC television as a whole
has been enormous and I warmly wish her well in her new role at
Discovery. However, I don't feel that this is really a departure.
Although she won't be with us in the UK, her presence in Washington
will strengthen the thriving partnership between the BBC and Discovery
in the US. We look forward to continuing to work with her in the
future," she added.
According to BBC acting director general Mark Byford, "Jane
Root has been an outstanding creative leader of BBC Two spearheading
a wide range of outstanding landmark programmes and events and original
work across drama, factual, comedy, current affairs and music. We
all wish her well with her new job and thank her for her brilliant
contribution, while here at the BBC."
Announcing her appointment, Root commented: "It's been the
worst kept secret in the whole of British television, but I can
finally confirm that I am leaving BBC Two for Discovery. It was
a hard decision to make, leaving the BBC and BBC Two in particular
will be difficult. Two is a very hard channel to say goodbye to:
it's got such a strong personality, and so many brilliant people
contribute to it. I've completely loved the past five years."
"But Discovery is also a great place, and a special partner
to the BBC, so I am really excited about the challenges ahead."
The channel will soon be inviting applications for the post vacate
via press advertisement, says a company release.
According to media reports, Root joined the BBC in 1997 to set
up and head the newly-formed Independent Commissioning Group (ICG),
which worked with independent production companies. During her tenure
ICG brought many hit shows to the BBC, including The Cops, Dinnerladies
and The Naked Chef. She joined BBC Two as controller
in January 1999.
Previously Root had been joint managing director production company,
Wall To Wall Television, a company she co-founded. She was responsible
for both the creative and business development of all commissions
and, over 10 years, oversaw numerous highly successful programmes
including The Media Show, Eat Your Greens/Grow Your Greens, Sophie's
Meat Course, Rwandan Stories and The Garden Guru.
Prior to her television career, Root as a freelance journalist
and film critic, worked at The Guardian, New Statesman and
a range of film and women's magazines.
Besides, she has contributed to several books on film and is the
author of Pictures of Women (1981) and Open the Box: About
Television (1983).
Jane has also lectured in Film Studies (1981-84) and was the manager
of the film distribution company, Cinema For Women (1981-83).
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