Janet Han Vissering
Vissering just keeps topping her prior year’s accomplishments. Premiering Nat Geo Wild’s first-ever digital series “Wild Life With Bertie Gregory” on YouTube and NationalGeographic.com and working on the sweeping doc “Wild Yellowstone” are just two of her recent achievements. Not to mention the network continues exponential growth in its sixth year on the air, with 2015 as its most-watched year ever. As she continues to manage Wild’s development and production teams, look for Vissering to bring even more A-list talent to the network’s lineup and elevate staples such as the annual Big Cat Week and Destination Wild special programs. Some of her favorite programs embracing diversity are “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Empire” and “Modern Family.” “These shows cast across all races, genders and sexuality. It brings the real makeup of the world to television,” she says.
What grade do you give the cable industry on diversity and why?
I give it a B. I believe that the industry has done a great job recruiting and welcoming diversity in many ways. But as always, it has room to grow.
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is…
A great DVR. There is so much to watch, having the capacity to store and watch later is key.
What are the television show/s – cable or broadcast – best embrace diversity?
Some of my favorite shows that really embrace diversity are “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Empire” and “Modern Family.” These shows cast across all races, genders and sexuality. It brings the real makeup of the world to television. I also feel that it is important to feature diversity when portraying leaders, people of power and what success looks like in television roles.
My personal election campaign slogan would be…
Rise together.
Favorite charity organization you work with?
A charity called Autism Now. I support this charity because of my own personal connection with autism. I have family members and close friends with children who are autistic. It’s a challenge for parents and families, and I feel more needs to be done to support them.
