Ion hires former Discovery president

US broadcaster Ion Media Networks has hired a former Discovery president to be its president of programming, based in New York.

John Ford (left) joins the network’s senior management team to oversee all aspects of TV subsidiary Ion Television’s content activities, including acquisitions, original production, scheduling, creative strategy and positioning.

He reports to Brandon Burgess, Ion Media Networks CEO. “John’s seasoned experience brings a whole new creative perspective to Ion, including his background in acquisitions, unscripted reality content, major events and coproductions,” Burgess said. “All these content sources are on the table as Ion builds upon its growth momentum and looks to extend its television franchise in the years to come.”

Ford will work closely with Marc Zand, who assumes a new and expanded role as Ion’s exec VP of content acquisitions and digital networks. Zand will oversee the network’s movie and TV series acquisitions and negotiations, reporting to Ford, while continuing to lead Ion’s digital channels Qubo and Ion Life.

Ford’s career spans more than 30 years in media, including senior executive positions at Discovery Communications and National Geographic Channel. He was most recently president and general manager at Discovery Channel, having left in late 2009 after 13 years, amid a restructuring that saw Clark Bunting replace him.

Earlier roles included president and general manager of Discovery Times Channel and Military Channel, as well as a stint as executive VP of programming at National Geographic Channel.

Ion Television reaches some 98 million US television households via nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems.