He became controller after Jane Root departed in May 2004 to become the executive vice president and general manager of the US-based Discovery Channel . Jane Root was appointed in 1999 and was the first woman to be appointed controller of a BBC television channel . Jane Root , who was appointed in 1999 and was the first woman to be appointed controller of a BBC television channel , departed in May 2004 to become the executive vice president and general manager of the US-based Discovery Channel .