December 10, 2009

CableFAX: 56. Non-Fiction Dean: John Ford

John Ford

Title: Pres/GM, Discovery Channel
Age: 57
Education: BA, History, Duke; MA, Public Affairs, Texas
Social Media Quotient: 5

Why Him? Discovery has its share of talented GMs, but Ford really is the dean of non-fiction programming — not only at Discovery, but for cable. His stint at Nat Geo Channel was so successful that David Zaslav jumped at the chance to lure him back into Discovery’s fold in ’07. Since then, Ford has shown his talent for picking and nurturing wonderful shows that range from the goofiness of Cash Cab to the adventurism of Man v. Wild.

Prediction for Cable in 2010: Cable will continue to steal audience and loyalty from broadcast.

When I Need to Recharge, I: Play a sport or a game.

Last Book Read: Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Favorite iPhone/Blackberry App: BB Messenger for talking to my college-age kids

Twitter is...: Fun, interesting and a tough business model

Trait I Most Admire in People: Directness

Childhood Hero: Hank Aaron

In 2010, the Economy will: Surprise us.

Favorite TV Show not on Discovery: The Office

Favorite Part of My Job: Being our name – it’s incredibly gratifying to work with some of the best experts in their fields, documenting natural history, science and archaeology discoveries as they’re unfolding.

Worst Part of My Job: When Mother Nature doesn’t respect our production schedules.