Sean Cohan

Under Cohan’s leadership, A+E continues to extend its global footprint. The company launched its first global free-to-air channel bringing Lifetime to Turkey and Crime + Investigation to Portugal and the Netherlands. Cohan’s team also closed substantial sales agreements for “Roots,” with broadcasters in 115-plus territories, and sealed a deal to grow A+E’s Japanese partnership with Super Network/Tohokushisha (TFC), significantly increasing its stake in History Japan from 50 percent to 80 percent. “The cable industry needs to continue to work making opportunities in media more visible to a broader spectrum of job candidates,” he says. “Media business would benefit from having more diversity represented in the entry-level and early career talent pipeline.

What grade do you give the cable industry on diversity and why?
B-. The cable industry needs to continue to work making opportunities in media more visible to a broader spectrum of job candidates.  As a whole, I think the media business would benefit from having more diversity represented in the entry-level and early career talent pipeline.

What television show/s – cable or broadcast  – best embrace diversity?
I am enormously proud of “Roots” (History) and “UnReal” (Lifetime), which both have helped shape the conversation around race, identity and diversity for a new generation at a time when it is needed more than ever.

Favorite charity organization you work with?
I serve on the Board of Directors of The Opportunity Network, a program that is giving kids from some of NYC’s underserved neighborhoods a chance to excel. It is an intensive, six-year program designed to equal the playing field for high-achieving high school and college students by creating access for them to career opportunities, professional networks and competitive colleges.