Tim Pastore, Geoff Daniels & Carolyn Bernstein
Tim Pastore
Title: President, Original Programming & Production, National Geographic Channels
Years in Cable: 12
Education: University of Rochester, MA English, BA English and Film Studies
One Word that Best Describes Me: Passionate
Geoff Daniels
Title: EVP & GM, Nat Geo Wild
Years in Cable: 20+
Education: BA English, Tulane University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Scrappy
Carolyn Bernstein
Title: EVP, Head of Global Scripted and Development, National Geographic Channel
Years in Cable: 2 as a buyer, 7 as a producer
Education: BA from Brown University in Comparative Literature with Reading in French & Italian
One Word that Best Describes Me: Optimistic
Pastore, Daniels and Bernstein work in unison as they lead a team effort to push into premium, science, adventure and exploration programming produced in partnership with top creative talent both on the scripted and unscripted front. Upcoming productions include “One Strange Rock,” which will film for 100 weeks around the world and in outer space to explore how the peculiarities of Earth’s unique history make it ideally suited as a cradle for life and highlight issues around the planet’s delicate, interdependent balance. Other shows include “Blood Ivory” (working title), the network’s first scripted series. The thriller traces the global web of contraband animals and ivory, and its connection to trafficking.
Tim Pastore
My first job: At 6 years old I was coring the heads of lettuce at my father’s restaurant, all for baseball card money.
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
What was the last costume you wore and why? “Teddy Bear Grylls,” a full-costumed teddy bear with a penchant for outdoor survival gear. Halloween.
New favorite binge: “Baskets.”
My favorite newfound hobby: Being a newly wed husband.
Geoff Daniels
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: New tools allowing us to move beyond Nielsen metrics
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? WILD…
NAT GEO WILD!
My dream would be for: My smoke alarm to be connected to the Internet of Things so it could play “Smoke on the Water!” when it’s time to change the batteries and binaural beats at bedtime.
Virtual reality is… Real
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
What was your first job? Italian ice vendor outside 30 Rock
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… “Unreal”
What was the last costume that you wore and why? Jack Skellington because I am the Pumpkin King of Bethesda.
What should cable do to improve its image? Care… followed closely by putting Nat Geo Wild in every skinny bundle
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Caps hockey with family, friends, a ton of hot BBQ and ice cold beer
New favorite binge: Narcos #addictive
What excites you most about DOCSIS 3.1? Will it keep Netflix and AT&T from throttling?
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… “Make it so!”
What should cable do to improve its image? Care… followed closely by putting Nat Geo Wild in every skinny bundle J
My favorite hashtag is: #hashbrowns
Name of my favorite Spotify playlist: Anything involving Jack White
My cable industry mentor and why: Sydney Suissa who ran NGCI. Taught me to play the long game, the high road has a better view and nice doesn’t mean you can’t be a killer.
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Driverless car. As close to a personal driver as I will ever get.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: iPad
My favorite newfound hobby: Meditation. Going from OMG to OHM takes a lot of practice.
Favorite vacation spot: Anything on wild side!
My Starbucks order: Short, bold
Carolyn Bernstein
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson”
What was your first job? Intern for legendary producer Edgar Scherick right after college graduation
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… Select, don’t settle.
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… “Dumb and Dumber”
I watch the majority of programming on this device: A television, because I’m not a Millennial
My typical breakfast is: Rushed and made in a blender.
Favorite vacation spot: Montecito, CA, with my family
