A+E’s Bio to rebrand as FYI

Jana Bennett is to preside over a rebranded Bio channel, which will switch to more lifestyle-focused content that reflects “how people actually live their lives”.

The move has been touted for some time and came a step closer after A+E Networks’ CEO Nancy Dubuc drafted in former BBC Worldwide content boss Bennett to oversee its second tier cable channels Bio and female-skewed LMN.

FYI will launch in the US in the summer of 2014, with announcements on the future of the Bio brand in other international territory to follow at later dates.

“The transition to FYI is the next phase in our strategy to bolster the A+E Networks portfolio by evolving and maturing our brands to allow for future growth in the rapidly changing media landscape,” said Dubuc.

A slate of more than 30 series is in development, with programming announcements set for in the New Year.

“FYI will be an upscale network with a younger and more modern sensibility than what we’ve seen on traditional lifestyle networks, in an effort to appeal to an audience that has been underserved on linear but thrives online.”

Bennett (pictured above, second left, with Dubuc, third left), who joined A+E earlier this year, added the channel would offer viewers “a less prescriptive, more adventurous approach to their taste, space, social life and look” than other similar networks.

Earlier this week, TBI revealed A+E was taking full control of its Italian channels business – a first for the Disney- and Hearst-owned company in Europe.