John Ford
President, National Geographic Channel
30 Minutes with John Ford, National Geographic Channel
HD Track: Broadcast Opportunities for HD
Opening Session: Leaders Forum

John Ford oversees all aspects of the network's programming strategy including development, production, acquisition and scheduling. His career spans over 25 years in media including senior executive positions at Discovery Communications during which Ford presided over three successful channel launches.

Ford's distinguished career includes serving as President of New Media for Discovery Networks US where he was responsible for all interactive, internet, high-definition (HD) and VOD products including the network launch and early growth of Discovery HD Theater.

From February 2001 - August 2002, Ford was President of Discovery's Content Group, spearheading all content and programming for Discovery's stable of US networks and online services including the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Digital Networks, Discovery Kids Channel, and discovery.com.

Beginning in February 1999, Ford was President of Discovery Health Channel and discoveryhealth.com, managing both services from inception through their successful acquisition and incorporation of their primary competitor, The Health Network.

Ford led TLC (The Learning Channel) beginning in August 1991, shortly after its purchase by Discovery, and led it from relative obscurity to a position as one of the top 10 cable networks. He served as TLC's Senior Vice President and General Manager, promoted to that position in May 1996 from Senior Vice President, Programming. Under his watch, TLC's primetime ratings increased 800% and its programming garnered sixteen CableAce Awards, the Board of Governors' "Creator's Award," the Golden ACE, two national Emmy® Awards, and two Peabody Awards.

Ford first joined Discovery as Vice President, Corporate Partnerships in the fall of 1989. In this position, he developed groundbreaking corporate partnership programs to help finance program productions. Prior to joining Discovery, Ford worked for 11 years in public television, holding positions in the Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia markets.

Ford earned a Master's degree in Public Affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin and a B.A. in History from Duke University. He is also a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and serves on the Board of Advisors for the New York Film/TV Festival.