Bonnie Hammer

Bonnie Hammer is Chairman, NBCU Cable Entertainment and Cable Studios. Her responsibilities comprise executive oversight of leading cable brands USA, Syfy, E! Entertainment, G4, Chiller, Cloo and Universal HD, as well as production entities Universal Cable Productions and E! Studios.

An industry leader in network programming and branding, Hammer was previously President, NBCU Cable Entertainment and Cable Studios. She assumed responsibility for USA Network in May 2004, adding to her role as president of Syfy. In March 2008, she took the reins of the newly created studio Universal Cable Productions, which generates quality content across multiple media platforms for USA, Syfy and other networks. At the same time, she assumed leadership of Sleuth (now Cloo), Chiller and Universal HD, which are among cable's most successful digital networks.

Under Hammer's leadership, USA Network has achieved the #1 position in all of basic cable for a record-setting five years with a stable of top-rated, Emmy and Golden Globe-honored programs including Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Royal Pains, White Collar, Covert Affairs, Fairly Legal, Necessary Roughness, and Suits. "She also engineered the return of ratings powerhouse WWEs Monday Night Raw to USA in October 2005.

In 2005, Hammer led USAs groundbreaking "Characters Welcome" branding initiative. In 2009, Hammer drew on the legacy of USAs original "Erase the Hate" campaign, which she had spearheaded, to create "Characters Unite," a pro-social program dedicated to combating intolerance and promoting acceptance. Tom Brokaw's Bridging the Divide, a 2010 USA special, illustrated the mission of Characters Unite by spotlighting champions of diversity and acceptance. She also initiated Character Project, an ongoing artistic initiative to celebrate the extraordinary people, from all walks of life, who make this country unique. For its initial endeavor, USA assembled a team of 11 world-class photographers to capture the character of America during the summer of 2008. The artists work is showcased in American Character: A Photographic Journey, which was published by Chronicle Books with the support of the not-for-profit photography organization Aperture Foundation.

During Hammer's tenure, Syfy has become a global brand, extending its reach to over 60 territories worldwide. In the U.S., Syfy has become a Top 5 cable network in ratings and an industry leader in original programming. In December 2002, Hammer led Syfy to a stunning success with Steven Spielberg Presents TAKEN, the Emmy-winning, 20-hour miniseries. Syfys current programming slate includes Eureka, Sanctuary, and Warehouse 13, Haven and Alphas. Successes on the channels reality front include Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth and Hollywood Treasures. Syfy has also partnered with Universal Pictures to launch Syfy Films, a new film company that will develop and produce Syfy-branded theatrical motion pictures to be distributed by Universal.

Prior to joining Universal Television, Hammer was an original programming executive at Lifetime Television Network, where she executive produced several award-winning documentaries for the networks acclaimed Signature Series; she was honored with the Lillian Gish Award, several Cine Golden Eagles and the National Association for Youth's Mentor Award. Before coming to New York, Hammer executive produced Good Day! for WCVB in Boston, and produced the series This Old House, Infinity Factory and Zoom! for PBS.

The Hollywood Reporter has consistently cited Hammer on its annual list of the most important women in Hollywood; she has also been named to Fortunes list of "50 Most Powerful Women." She received the 2010 Vanguard Award for Distinguished Leadership from the National Cable Television Association. In 2008, Hammer received the Anti-Defamation Leagues Entertainment Industry Award; she has since joined ADLs National Entertainment Advisory Council. In 2007, she was honored with NATPE's Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award, and was inducted into Broadcasting & Cable's Hall of Fame. She has also received a MUSE award for Outstanding Vision & Achievement from New York Women in Film and Television. Hammer serves on the board of the Ad Council, as well as the Celebration of Women's Achievements in Television and Radio steering committee for the Paley Center for Media. She also serves on the strategic planning committee for Boston Universitys College of Communication, and is a mentor for Women in Film & Television.

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