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 […]
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 […]
Amazon’s approach to factual commissioning is leaving plenty much to be desired, according to a new survey from non-fiction body NPACT. The SVOD service fared badly in various sections of the survey, as Apple, Netflix, YouTube Red and traditional networks such as Smithsonian Channel and Oxygen were positively received. Amazon was considered to have the […]
Former Fox, National Geographic and FremantleMedia chief David Lyle has passed away aged 67. The well-liked and much-respected executive succumbed after a long fight with cancer on Thursday at his home in LA. The Australia-born Lyle was permanent figure at international markets such as MIPCOM, and was widely respected for his humorous, straight-talking approach to […]
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 […]
