EMMY® WINNING EXECUTIVE HOWARD SWARTZ JOINS DISCOVERY CHANNEL AS VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION
November 14, 2011
(Los Angeles, Ca.) - Howard Swartz, most recently executive producer of PBS's NOVA series, has joined Discovery Channel as Vice President, Development and Production, effective immediately. Based out of the network's Los Angeles, California office, his primary responsibility will be to supervise CURIOSITY, Discovery Channel's landmark series created by its iconic founder John Hendricks. In this role, Swartz will be responsible for developing the slate, supervising editorial content and managing all phases of production. He will work closely with Simon Andreae, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, to whom he also reports.
Swartz joins Discovery from PBS' acclaimed science series NOVA, where he has acted as executive producer since January 2010, overseeing numerous award-winning documentaries, including Japan's Killer Quake, NOVA's highest rated program in the past five years. Prior to NOVA, Swartz was with the National Geographic Channel, where he oversaw signature series Explorer and executive produced more than 100 programs, including Emmy®-winners Five Years on Mars (2009), Inside the Living Body (2008) and Incredible Human Machine (2008). From 2002-2006, Swartz was co-founder and executive producer of BellaSwartz Productions, where he developed, produced, directed and wrote award-winning nonfiction programs for networks including Discovery Channel, Science, History and National Geographic Channel.
Said Andreae, "Howard is one of the most skilled and highly respected executives in the nonfiction space: a great commissioner, a great storyteller and a great collaborator." He continued, "We are thrilled to welcome him to Discovery Channel, where I'm sure he'll be instrumental in continuing to build CURIOSITY into the gold standard for smart, inquisitive, nonfiction programming."
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 210 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.
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