John Ford


NPACT boss John Ford to step down

NPACT general manager John Ford is to step down from the organisation. The exec, a long-time champion of the US non-scripted production community, is departing due to a potential conflict of interest arising from the recent sale of Justice Network and Quest Network, where Ford has been head of programming since 2015. As a result […]

TBI Weekly: Old vs. new money face off for unscripted

A wealth of shiny digital entrants may well suggest TV is currently a supplier’s market, but this week’s Realscreen Summit has been an invaluable reminder that sustainable business models in the unscripted world are still lacking, particularly as stalwarts such as Discovery and Nat Geo endure major upheaval.   “Old money” cable networks and broadcasters […]

US non-scripted bodies merge to create NPACT

The Non-Fiction Producers Association (NPA) and PactUS are merging to create a new US-based non-scripted producers body, NPACT. In an “unprecedented show of solidarity” aimed at highlighting the strength of non-scripted prodcos in the US and fighting off a “looming crisis”, the two trades bodies have pooled forces. NPACT will include 99 member prodcos and […]

Veteran joins US unscripted body as policy chief

Veteran cable TV producer Michelle Van Kempen has joined US body the Non-Fiction Producers Association as head of policy and development. Working out of LA, the will work closely with NPA general manager John Ford, to whom she will report. Van Kempen was co-principal and executive producer at Film Garden Entertainment, which was behind shows […]

Ex-Discovery, Nat Geo chief to run prodco body

Former Discovery Channel and National Geographic Channel boss John Ford is to run an American unscripted programming trade body. Ford (left) has been named general manager of the Non-Fiction Producers Association, a non-profit group that looks after unscripted producers and documentary makers. He will oversee the year-old body while remaining as head of programming at […]

Buyers Briefing: Steve Schiffman, Justice Network

Name: Steve Schiffman Role: CEO Former National Geographic Channel chief Steve Schiffman leads the latest entrant into the competitive US true crime market, Justice Network, which launched on US multicast on January 20. He tells TBI about the channel’s launch, the proposition and buying wants and needs TBI: What makes the channel’s proposition unique? SS: […]

Discovery, Nat Geo, NBCU vets launch Justice Network

A collection of veteran US TV execs have come together to launch a new true-crime channel, Justice Network. The US cable net count has been created by Bounce TV founder Lonnie Cooper. Steve Schiffman, former president of Nat Geo; Barry Wallach, former president of NBCUniversal US TV distribution; and John Ford, the ex Discovery Channel […]