What’s your vision for Discovery Channel? We have opportunities that aren’t radically different from what you’ve seen on Discovery before. Discovery must own the big science arena; where viewers can find the coolest science on the planet. We’ll also be a place where you get to find out what’s going on in the world. We’re always going to be a place for superior storytelling about the real world. My vision for Discovery is that we continue to be the best curiosity channel, if you will, in the world. Your immediate priority? Getting a handle on the 500 hours of production in various stages for next year and ’09. It’s like drinking water from a fire hose. It’s a task. Then I have to see what’s ready for launch. In some cases there are minor decisions needed at the end of a show’s production. The other thing we have to figure out is what will we promote with marketing money in the 1st quarter. What’s the state of Discovery? This car is going around the track at 190 miles/hour, and it’s looking good. We don’t need a pit stop. I don’t need to go under the hood. Our ratings vs last Nov are very, very good. I’m excited about our series and specials coming up. You left Nat Geo to form a documentary company. What happened? David Zaslav. We met in early summer and talked frequently. We’d known each other from his National Geographic Intl board days. He kept saying, ‘Look, I want you to join the team here.’ So I talked with [domestic distribution pres] Bill Goodwyn, [Discovery Studios pres] Clark Bunting and [global business pres] Mark Hollinger. ‘You’re gonna love it here,’ they all said. That’s what really did it for me. Your favorite Christmas gift? A bicycle. When I was 8 years old. It was red, had 2 wheels and a seat, that’s all I remember about it. But it was great. [John Ford’s lessons from Nat Geo Channel, at cable360.net]

The Daily

Subscribe
Thursday–February 25

Mediacom Sees 24% FCF Jump

The pandemic continued to drive strong broadband gains for Mediacom in 4Q20, with the company reporting an 8.3% YOY jump in broadband customers. Adjusted OIBDA rose 16.3% to $246.8 million, while free cash

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB? VIEW JOBS

Hiring? In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors, The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact John@cynopsis.com for more information.