Clark Bunting Biography

W. Clark Bunting is the President of Discovery Studios based in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

Current occupation

A veteran of more than 20 years at Discovery Communications, 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.

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, 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.

Education

Bunting graduated from Rochester High School in Rochester Michigan in 1973.

Bunting holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Michigan State University.

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 Irwin Memorial Goodwill Ambassador Award by The Premier of Queensland (Australia) Hon Peter Beattie MP at the Queensland Expatriate Awards at the Rainbow Room in New York.