ITN adds Nat Geo producer

ITN Productions in the UK has appointed a National Geographic producer to oversee production and development in the US.

Tim Godfrey

Michael Welsh becomes VP of production and development for ITN’s North American operations, based in Washington DC.

His appointment is designed to boost ITN’s presence in the US and builds on commissions from US broadcasters including Children of Syria for PBS and Triumph Games for CBS Sports Network.

Welsh has more than 20 years’ industry experience and was an executive producer of production and development at National Geographic Channel and NatGeo Wild, working on shows such as Alaska State Troopers and Russia & The West.

Prior to that, Welsh worked on landmark series including ABC News’ Hopkins 24/7, Mythbusters, Forensic Files, and Trauma: Life in the E.R.

Ian Russell, head of international programming at ITN Productions, said: “[Welsh] has a rare combination of fantastic programme-making skills and a natural instinct for development.

“In the short time we have worked together, he has already had a big impact on our US and global output.”

Welsh added: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to join the ITN Productions team and look forward to continuing to build on their portfolio of high-rated and award-winning programming here in the US market.”

Last week ITN revealed it had entered into a multi-year deal with Getty Images to license and distribute its news archive worldwide, a move that will lead to the closure of its archive house ITN Source.

In related news, ITN Productions has appointed sports media specialist Tim Godfrey as partnerships director within its Sports Production business.

Godfrey joins on December 1 from his role as head of media at Formula E, where he was responsible for media strategy across rights, content creation, broadcast and distribution.