Clark Bunting
Encyclopedia
W. Clark Bunting is the President of Discovery Studios based in Silver Spring
, Maryland
, United States
.
, Bunting was named President
, Discovery Studios in February 2007. In this newly created role, Bunting is responsible for overseeing the work of a unit launched within Discovery
to create original, high quality, multi-platform television content for Discovery’s worldwide family of television networks and theatrical documentary movies under the banner of Discovery Films.
During his time with the company, Bunting has been at the forefront of helping Discovery become the worldwide leader in non-fiction television.
From 2004-05, Bunting was Executive Vice President, Discovery U.S. Networks Group. In this capacity he oversaw the executives, programming, management and operational activities of Travel Channel
, Discovery Health Channel
, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Military Channel
, The Science Channel
and FitTV
.
Bunting took on his expanded role after serving as executive vice president and general manager for Discovery Channel
. His tenure at the network began in 2001 and during this time Discovery continued to create the programming that has set the standard for non-fiction television. Among its most notable achievements were trendsetting new series, including American Chopper
, MythBusters
and Monster Garage
, specials including Walking With Cavemen
and Nefertiti Resurrected and the development of other key properties including Dirty Jobs
, Deadliest Catch
and Planet Earth
.
Prior to joining Discovery Channel, Bunting served from 1996–2001 as Executive Vice President and General Manager
for Animal Planet
. He launched the network in 1996, and under his leadership it became the fastest-growing cable network in television history. Included among Animal Planet’s most notable successes during this time were Emergency Vets
, The Jeff Corwin Experience
and, most notably, the introduction of international wildlife superstar Steve Irwin
. Bunting worked with closely with Irwin on the production of more than 200 episodes of the wildly popular series The Crocodile Hunter
, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries and Croc Files
. These programs quickly catapulted the conservationist to international fame and helped make Irwin’s Queensland
-based Australia Zoo
a must-see tourist destination for anyone traveling to Australia
.
Bunting began his career at Discovery in 1985 and launched Discovery Channel’s annual rite of summer, Shark Week
.
Prior to joining Discovery, Bunting worked on Capitol Hill as an aide to Congressman Bob Carr
of Michigan
.
On Dec. 18, 2009 it was announced that Bunting will assume the presidency of the Discovery Channel, taking over from John Ford.
.
In December 2001, he was a commencement speaker at the Michigan State University graduation ceremony, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree of humane letters.
Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver Spring is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It had a population of 71,452 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth most populous place in Maryland, after Baltimore, Columbia, and Germantown.The urbanized, oldest, and...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Current occupation
A veteran of more than 20 years at Discovery CommunicationsDiscovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
, Bunting was named President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, Discovery Studios in February 2007. In this newly created role, Bunting is responsible for overseeing the work of a unit launched within Discovery
Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
to create original, high quality, multi-platform television content for Discovery’s worldwide family of television networks and theatrical documentary movies under the banner of Discovery Films.
During his time with the company, Bunting has been at the forefront of helping Discovery become the worldwide leader in non-fiction television.
Other roles
Prior to his new role with Discovery Studios, Bunting most recently served as President of Production for Discovery’s U.S. networks. During this time, he oversaw all original production efforts for Discovery’s 14 domestic television networks creating nearly 3,000 hours of programming in genres including science, health and fitness, animal, non-fiction, lifestyle, current affairs and daytime.From 2004-05, Bunting was Executive Vice President, Discovery U.S. Networks Group. In this capacity he oversaw the executives, programming, management and operational activities of Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
, Discovery Health Channel
Discovery Health Channel
Discovery Health Channel is a website owned by Discovery Communications, created for people interested in health and wellness. Until December 31, 2010, it was a U.S. cable television specialty channel dedicated to television programming that highlights various aspects of health and wellness...
, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Military Channel
Military Channel
The Military Channel is a cable and satellite television network which broadcasts television programming related to the military, warfare and military history. It is part of the group of networks owned by Discovery Communications within the United States and Canada...
, The Science Channel
The Science Channel
Science is a United States cable, satellite and IPTV Television Network produced by Discovery Communications. Science features programming in the fields of space, technology, prehistory and animals.-History:...
and FitTV
FitTV
FitTV was an American digital cable and satellite channel, owned by Discovery Communications. The channel focused on fitness and exercise-related programming. FitTV offered programming with such fitness celebrities as Cathe Friedrich, Sharon Mann, Gilad Janklowicz, Marilu Henner, Tamilee Webb and...
.
Bunting took on his expanded role after serving as executive vice president and general manager for Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
. His tenure at the network began in 2001 and during this time Discovery continued to create the programming that has set the standard for non-fiction television. Among its most notable achievements were trendsetting new series, including American Chopper
American Chopper
American Chopper is a reality television series that airs on Discovery Channel, produced by Pilgrim Films & Television. The series centers on Paul Teutul, Sr. and his son Paul Teutul, Jr. , who manufacture custom motorcycles. Orange County Choppers is in Newburgh, New York...
, MythBusters
MythBusters
MythBusters is a science entertainment TV program created and produced by Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. The series is screened by numerous international broadcasters, including Discovery Channel Australia, Discovery Channel Latin America, Discovery Channel Canada, Quest...
and Monster Garage
Monster Garage
Monster Garage is a television show for the Discovery Channel hosted by Jesse G. James. Each episode is an hour in length and was conceived and produced by Thom Beers.The show aired the series finale on June 12, 2006. Jesse G...
, specials including Walking With Cavemen
Walking with Cavemen
Walking with Cavemen is a four-part television documentary series about human evolution produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. It was originally released in April 2003. It was subsequently presented in the United States as a two-part series by the Discovery Channel and its affiliates...
and Nefertiti Resurrected and the development of other key properties including Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs is a program on the Discovery Channel, produced by Pilgrim Films & Television, in which host Mike Rowe is shown performing difficult, strange, disgusting, or messy occupational duties alongside the typical employees. The show premiered with two pilot episodes in November 2003...
, Deadliest Catch
Deadliest Catch
Deadliest Catch is a documentary/reality television series produced by Original Productions for the Discovery Channel. It portrays the real life events aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and C. opilio crab fishing seasons.The Aleutian Islands port of Dutch Harbor,...
and Planet Earth
Planet Earth (TV series)
Planet Earth is a 2006 television series produced by the BBC Natural History Unit. Five years in the making, it was the most expensive nature documentary series ever commissioned by the BBC, and also the first to be filmed in high definition...
.
Prior to joining Discovery Channel, Bunting served from 1996–2001 as Executive Vice President and General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
for Animal Planet
Animal Planet
Animal Planet is an American cable tv specialty channel that launched on October 1, 1996. It is distributed by Discovery Communications. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched on September 1, 2007.-History:...
. He launched the network in 1996, and under his leadership it became the fastest-growing cable network in television history. Included among Animal Planet’s most notable successes during this time were Emergency Vets
Emergency Vets
Emergency Vets is a reality television series that airs on the U.S. cable network Animal Planet. First aired in 1998, it depicts the working and outside lives of the veterinarians at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Colorado, USA, plus the animals that they treat...
, The Jeff Corwin Experience
The Jeff Corwin Experience
The Jeff Corwin Experience is an American television show about mostly tropical animals airing on the Animal Planet cable channel since 2001...
and, most notably, the introduction of international wildlife superstar Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin
Stephen Robert "Steve" Irwin , nicknamed "The Crocodile Hunter", was an Australian television personality, wildlife expert, and conservationist. Irwin achieved worldwide fame from the television series The Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series which he co-hosted...
. Bunting worked with closely with Irwin on the production of more than 200 episodes of the wildly popular series The Crocodile Hunter
The Crocodile Hunter
The Crocodile Hunter was a wildlife documentary television series that was hosted by Steve Irwin and his wife Terri. The show became a popular franchise due to its unconventional approach and Irwin's approach to wildlife...
, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries and Croc Files
Croc Files
Croc Files is a wildlife documentary television series focusing on crocodiles first aired on cable TV channel Animal Planet. It was created as a spin-off to the original Crocodile Hunter and The Crocodile Hunter Diaries series hosted by Australian naturalist Steve Irwin and his wife Terri Irwin...
. These programs quickly catapulted the conservationist to international fame and helped make Irwin’s Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
-based Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is a zoo located in the Australian state of Queensland on the Sunshine Coast near Beerwah/Glass House Mountains. It is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association , and is owned by Terri Irwin, the widow of Steve Irwin, whose wildlife documentary series The Crocodile Hunter made the...
a must-see tourist destination for anyone traveling to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Bunting began his career at Discovery in 1985 and launched Discovery Channel’s annual rite of summer, Shark Week
Shark Week
The Discovery Channel's Shark Week, which first aired on July 27, 1987, is a week-long series of feature television programs dedicated to sharks. Shark Week is held annually, normally running in July or August. Shark Week was developed to help the average person have a greater respect for sharks....
.
Prior to joining Discovery, Bunting worked on Capitol Hill as an aide to Congressman Bob Carr
Milton Robert Carr
Milton Robert Carr, commonly known as Bob Carr, is a lawyer and politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.Carr served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 6th and 8th congressional districts for eight terms and one term, respectively. Carr's career in the U.S...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
On Dec. 18, 2009 it was announced that Bunting will assume the presidency of the Discovery Channel, taking over from John Ford.
Education
Bunting holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
.
In December 2001, he was a commencement speaker at the Michigan State University graduation ceremony, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree of humane letters.
Awards and recognition
- In 2007, Bunting was awarded the Steve IrwinSteve IrwinStephen Robert "Steve" Irwin , nicknamed "The Crocodile Hunter", was an Australian television personality, wildlife expert, and conservationist. Irwin achieved worldwide fame from the television series The Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series which he co-hosted...
Memorial Goodwill Ambassador Award by The PremierPremierPremier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
of QueenslandQueenslandQueensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
(AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
) Hon Peter BeattiePeter BeattiePeter Douglas Beattie , Australian politician, was the 36th Premier of the Australian state of Queensland for nine years and leader of the Australian Labor Party in that state for eleven and a half years...
MP at the Queensland Expatriate AwardsQueensland Expatriate AwardsThe Queensland Expatriate Awards, are the most prominent awards to expatriates from the state of Queensland Australia who are living around the world....
at the Rainbow RoomRainbow RoomThe Rainbow Room was an upscale restaurant and nightclub on the 65th floor of the GE Building in Rockefeller Center, Midtown Manhattan, New York City.-Cuisine:...
in New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.