Sarah Barnett
By | November 1, 2013
President/GM
Sundance Channel
“Helping shape all of the brilliant ideas that come across my desk into the bigger puzzle” is Barnett’s favorite part of coming to work every day. She’s also enjoying a title bump, as she rose from EVP to president of the network this June. Barnett has steadily built Sundance into an original programming hub, including its first scripted drama “Rectify,” which won over viewers and got signed for a longer second season, and “Top Of The Lake,” another scripted gem with water-cooler buzz. Barnett also oversees the network’s unscripted strategy, and was responsible for the 2012 breakout “Push Girls,” which returned for a second season this spring.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Helping shape all of the brilliant ideas that come across my desk into the bigger puzzle.
What’s been the biggest story in cable this year?
TWC and CBS standoff.
How do you define success in the workplace?
Staying real while making it work.
Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?
Wine and a non-work conversation.
Who would you want to swap jobs with for a month and why?
Assuming I get her talent, Cate Blanchett–she appears to be a phenomenal artist yet not really tortured.