Veteran Programmer John Stephens Joins Australia’s Ten

SYDNEY: Industry veteran John Stephens has joined Australia's Network Ten as its director of scheduling and acquisitions.

Stephens, whose television career spans more than 40 years, will work closely with Beverley McGarvey, Ten’s chief programming officer. Both of them report to network CEO Hamish McLennan.

Stephens previously served as director of programming at Nine Network and as head of programming strategy and acquisitions at Seven Network. His most recent post was programming consultant at Seven.

“John is one of the most experienced and successful television programming executives in Australia, with a local and international reputation second to none,” McLennan said. “With a long history of developing, commissioning and acquiring popular, innovative and enduring television series, he knows what viewers want and how to create and schedule hit programs.

“We are very pleased to welcome someone of John’s caliber, experience and talent to Network Ten. He is a critically important addition to our management team. His appointment underlines our commitment to hiring industry-best talent as we work on our turnaround strategy.”