One of the best-known and well-liked programming executives in the TV business has a new job.

John Ford has been named President of Programming for the ION Media Networks.

Ford was suprisingly pushed-out of Discovery Communications a year ago in a re-org. He had been at Discovery for years before leaving to go to Nat Geo in 2003. Ford came back to Discovery in 2007, when David Zaslav took over running the company.

In today’s announcement ION said, in a written statement, that "Ford will join the network’s senior management team to oversee all aspects of ION Television’s content activities, including continued acquisitions, exploring originals, scheduling and creative strategy and positioning. Ford will play a leading role in expanding the network’s commitment to high quality programming geared towards ION’s growing general entertainment audience.

"Working closely with Ford will be Marc Zand, who assumes a new and expanded role as Executive Vice President Content Acquisitions and Digital Networks. Zand will oversee the network’s TV series and movie acquisitions and negotiation activities reporting to Ford, while continuing to lead ION’s digital channels Qubo and ION Life."

The announcement also quoted Brandon Burgess, CEO, ION Media Networks, as saying, "John’s seasoned experience brings a whole new creative perspective to ION, including his background in acquisitions, unscripted reality content, major events and co-productions. 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.”

John Ford: