Sherry Brennan

SVP, Distribution, Fox Networks

Brennan helps analyze revenue opportunities across a wide range of potential acquisitions including networks, sports content and company investments. Additionally, she produced many reports and summaries to help educate senior management on the topic of changes in video consumption, tech developments and emerging second screen experiences. She has the ability to translate complicated technical concepts into “layman’s terms.” Brennan is happy to see strong female characters on FX’s “American Horror Story” and NBC’s “This Is Us” but, she says, “My favorite women on TV have to be the cast of ‘Call the Midwife’ [on PBS].”

Which sector of the cable industry best demonstrates gender equality? Which could use some enlightenment? 

My view is that gender bias is pervasive throughout our entire culture – and exists in both men and women – and thus there is no “best sector” but rather there are “best practices” we should each seek to embody. First, we must admit it in ourselves, and second, we should try to ensure we don’t make assumptions or discriminate on the basis of gender. That said – I love being a woman and I am glad there are differences between men and women!

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self? 

“Hang in there, kid, you’re doing great!  Don’t assume the kids who don’t seem to want to be your friends dislike you; they’re probably just as insecure as you are.”

Which current programming best reflects the kind of women’s roles you like to see and why? 

Would it be wrong to say “American Horror Story?”  OK, seriously – I’m enjoying “This is Us” this fall; it feels very real and humane to me. I like the tough female presence in “The Americans” and the great female sports talent we have on FS1. But my favorite women on TV have to be the (ones in the) cast of “Call the Midwife.”