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​NPACT Teams With Critical Content To Offer Unscripted Producers International Formats Pipeline

January 28, 2025: NPACT has teamed with Jenny Daly’s internationally-minded Critical Content to create a pipeline for the nonfiction producers trade association’s members. The agreement will see Critical connecting its network of global first-look partners with NPACT members. 
​READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT REALSCREEN.

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NPACT Releases its 2021 Network Survey Results

January 24, 2022 | Los Angeles: NPACT, the trade association for non-fiction production companies doing business in the U.S., today announced the results of its 2021 annual network/streamer ranking survey. Traditionally, at the end of every year, NPACT canvasses producers of unscripted, documentary and reality series to gauge collectively their favorite networks and streaming platforms across numerous categories. See the full results here.  Media coverage: Variety | Realscreen

NPACT, Staff Me Up, and Hue You Know Partner for Diversity and Inclusion Initiative for Hiring and Retention

August 6, 2020 | Los Angeles: NPACT, Staff Me Up (the #1 platform for production jobs in television, film and digital media) and Hue You Know (the BIPOC advancement and mentorship organization) announced today a strategic alliance to aid production companies in committing to diversity and inclusion throughout the hiring process, and fostering retention via programs that promote equity and a sense of belonging. The goal is to broaden and diversify the pool of available talent for every nonfiction production position, and help that talent succeed long-term. READ THE FULL RELEASE.

Lizzie Fox of HBO Max gives NPACT members a sneak peek into their content strategy.

LA Members Have Post-Summer Meeting; NY Meeting Coming Soon

Realscreen West 2019
John Ford and Panel Discuss State of Unscripted TV

June 5, 2019 | Realscreen: According to NPACT GM John Ford, the chief issue facing unscripted producers today is having margins squeezed to the point of peril for producers who are already struggling to stay afloat. But, says Ford, “The problem that develops in the long run is that you have less money, time and effort to spend on development.” ​READ MORE.

John Ford to Step Down as NPACT General Manager

July 18, 2019 | Variety: To avoid potential conflict of interests John Ford will depart NPACT. "John has been a peerless leader, helping transform a nascent organization with big dreams – and many strong, rowdy opinions – into a mature powerhouse association," said the NPACT Executive Committee. READ MORE.

Lively Discussion at West Coast Member Meeting

​RuPaul Leads CCRA Noms; VH1 to Air Awards Show Honoring Best of Unscripted

May 6, 2019 | Hollywood Reporter: RuPaul's Drag Race leads the nominations for the inaugural Critics' Choice Real TV Awards, which "recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms." The show — presented by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association and NPACT, the trade organization serving the producers of nonfiction entertainment content — will air on VH1 on Sunday, June 9. The show itself will take place Sunday, June 2, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. 
​​READ MORE AND SEE THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES.

Content Tech Descends Upon NYC

NPACT and the TV Industry Come Together to Honor David Lyle with Foundation 

April 6, 2019 | Realscreen: NPACT and a range of other companies from various sectors of the television entertainment industry are banding together to honor the memory of veteran TV executive David Lyle through a foundation established in his name. The David Lyle Foundation is officially being launched at the MIPTV market in Cannes. The foundation is a not-for-profit organization designed to help young people develop careers in the entertainment business. READ MORE.

New Yorkers Have Lunch with WEtv's Lauren Gellert

LA Members Review RSS and NATPE; Look Forward to Busy 2019

Realscreen Summit 2019
Thriving as a Mid-Level Producer

January 29, 2019 | Realscreen: With the unscripted industry in a seemingly constant flux of mega-mergers, new buyers, and expanding powers of the streaming giants, how can a mid-level producer thrive in this space? NPACT GM John Ford said that streaming giants are more willing to work with mid-level producers that “weren’t born famous”. 
​READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

NPACT's Small Group Lunch Discusses Netflix with Jonathan Mussman and Justin Holt ​

January 9, 2019 - Off Vine, Hollywood

NPACT Teams with Critics for Revamped Real TV Awards

November 16, 2018 | Realscreen: NPACT and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) are teaming for an awards show initiative that will recognize non-fiction and unscripted television content and those behind it. Dubbed the Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards, the awards show will be adapted from, and will replace, the NPACT Impact Awards, which made its debut last June. The ceremony is slated for June 2 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

NY Members Meet for Lunch & Chat

NY Members Talk Development at Think Tank

Debut of NPACT's Small Group Member Lunch with History's Eli Lehrer

October 17, 2018 | Los Angeles: Six NPACT members enjoyed an animated, informative conversation with Eli Lehrer of History at the inaugural Small Group Member lunch in LA on Wednesday, October 17th.  Members were randomly selected to participate.

Ben Relles Gives LA Members Tour of YouTube Structure, Content Needs, Success Metrics, Brand & Pitch Process

L.A. Members Brave Heat Wave for Cool Council

Left Coasters Jaw at Monthly Gathering

How NPACT Is Preparing for Peak Nonfiction TV

June 14, 2018 | Variety: Says NPACT GM John Ford, "The scripted business has evolved over a longer period of time [and] has academies and institutes devoted to it. Unscripted, because it came along later … didn’t have all of those institutions, and to some degree what we do now is filling in some of that void." READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Members Gather in Big Apple

​NPACT Announces Inaugural IMPACT Awards with Host Bob Saget

April 27, 2018 | New York and Los Angeles: NPACT, the entertainment trade association dedicated to serving the producers of non-fiction entertainment content, today announced its first annual “NPACT Impact Awards,” created to celebrate the impact of nonfiction content and the people who make it.
     Lauded stand-up comedian, actor and television host Bob Saget will emcee the inaugural event taking place the evening of June 4 at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. READ THE FULL RELEASE.

New York Members Study History with Eli Lehrer

Members Meet in Big Apple

New York Members Have February Powwow

Scenes from the NPACT Town Hall

January 30, 2018: Sixty producers gathered to get their issues out front at the NPACT town hall on Tuesday night, sponsored by Pond5. If you missed it you’ll want to ask one of your fellow members for the scoop! See you next time.

Who's the fairest of them all?

January 25, 2018 | Cynopsis: ​Nonfiction producers trade group NPACT released its second annual survey of broadcast and cable networks and OTTs, ranking which are producers’ favorites to pitch. A&E and ID made the top 10 in more categories than any other networks, followed by History, DIY and CBS. ID and Smithsonian Channel were the only nets to rank #1 in 2 categories, and Showtime was named “Best Network to Work with Overall,” with CBS and A&E close behind. A&E, ID and Netflix tied for “Most Respected Network.” 

MTV, Amazon Get Low Marks in Unscripted TV Producers Survey, Oxygen Voted Most Improved

January 24, 2018 | Variety: MTV and Amazon are among the toughest TV networks for producers to work with while Oxygen ranks as the most improved since last year, according to a survey of unscripted TV producers released Wednesday by the NPACT trade organization. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Reality TV Producers’ Poll: Showtime the Best Network to Deal With; MTV and Amazon the Worst

January 24, 2018 | Deadline Hollywood: Showtime is the best network to deal with – from pitch to post-production – according to a new poll conducted by NPACT, the trade group representing non-fiction TV producers. CBS finished a close second, just ahead of A&E. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

NPACT Releases Results of Second Annual "Network Survey" Rankings
Includes Broadcast, Ad-Supported and Pay/Premium Cable, and OTT, with Categories including “Most Improved” and “Most Respected” Network

January 24, 2018 | New York and Los Angeles: NPACT today announced the results of its second annual Network Survey. While last year’s NPA inaugural survey pertained only to advertising-supported cable networks, this year’s NPACT survey (covering calendar year 2017) also includes broadcast networks, premium/pay cable networks and OTT platforms. Forty-eight production companies – both members and non-members of NPACT – rated 46 networks/platforms in 11 categories.
SEE THE FULL PRESS RELEASE AND RESULTS HERE.

John Ford Talks About Navigating Chaos

November 30, 2017 | Realscreen: NPACT's GM, John Ford delivered data that illustrated the downward trending of cable subscription revenues over the past decade, exacerbated in the era of cord-cutting and cord-nevers. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Following Merger of Nonfiction Producers Association (NPA) and PactUS, NPACT Adds Six New Members, Announces New Board of Directors and Executive Committee

November 2, 2017 |NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES: Formed in June through the merging of the Nonfiction Producers Association (NPA) and PactUS – the two major trade organizations created to serve the producers of non-fiction entertainment content – NPACT today announced its new board of directors and executive committee, as well as five new production company members and one new associate member. NPACT General Manager John Ford made the announcement.  READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.

Lyle to be Honored With Realscreen Legacy Award; New Maverick Award In His Name

October 11, 2017 | Realscreen: In celebration of his three-decade career in television and his vast contribution to unscripted entertainment, Realscreen will honor David Lyle with a special Legacy Award at the upcoming Realscreen Summit in Washington D.C. ​​​READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Unscripted World Mourns Passing of David Lyle

September 22, 2017 | Deadline: Prominent TV executive, unscripted maverick, and NPACT President Emeritus David Lyle passed away today at his Los Angeles home after a tough, long-fought battle with cancer. He was 67. READ MORE.

Doubling Down on Content

July 31, 2017 | CNBC: NPACT General Manager and former Discovery President John Ford discusses the Discovery and Scripps Network merger deal, valued at $11.9 billion and how it could impact the market.  He says content is still king.  
​SEE THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Huge Member Turnout for NPACT's Prod Challenges and Solutions Webinar/Demo

NPACT members along with industry and network colleagues mingle on the eve of Realscreen Summit in NOLA.

Ford Comments on Discovery Model

June 28, 2019 | Realscreen: NPACT GM John Ford weighed in on Discovery's new financial model for unscripted shows: “A large-scale producer may be able to work the financing into its plan. A smaller shop may find that more challenging. I’m hearing a lot of concern from many of the small-to-mid size companies. Perhaps Discovery can adapt its plan accordingly.” READ MORE.

Queer Eye Wins Big at Inaugural Critics' Choice Real TV Awards

Netflix and Kreativ Inc. Win Honors Voted on by NPACT Members

To see media coverage and more photos, CLICK HERE.

Members Gather for RSW and Board Meeting

John Ford Tells of 'Real TV' Origins

June 2, 2019 | Hollywood Reporter: Reality TV has grown up. The Wild West vibe of the early 2000s, with producers emphasizing envelope-pushing and shock value, has given way to a more mature and broader genre that includes competition shows, docuseries, travelogues and numerous other types of unscripted programs. NPACT's John Ford says, "There's a lot of enthusiasm in the production community." READ MORE.

Leah Remini to be Awarded the Impact Award at June 2 Ceremony

May 29, 2019 | Deadline: Leah Remini, whose A&E series Leah Remini: Scientology And The Aftermath won an Emmy in 2017, will receive the Impact Award at the inaugural Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards on June 2. READ MORE. | CLICK HERE FOR AWARDS INFO.

First Critics' Choice Real TV Awards Garners 500+ Submissions

April 19, 2019 | Los Angeles: Coming off close of submissions, the inaugural Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards has garnered from networks, streaming platforms and producers more than 500 submissions across 26 categories for the new awards program. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on June 2 in Beverly Hills. In a joint statement, Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards Executive Producers Bob Bain and Joey Berlin, and NPACT General Manager John Ford, said, “The number of submissions for this inaugural awards show exceeded our expectations and is a testament to the quality, quantity and diversity of nonfiction, unscripted and reality content.” READ MORE.

Content Tech Debuts in Los Angeles

April 3, 2019 | Los Angeles: NPACT's inaugural Content Tech kicked off in Los Angeles. New products were unveiled and there was a presentation on how to budget and plan workflow for shooting and posting in 4K. 

LA Indie Member Working Group Convenes to Discuss Challenges

New York Member Meeting

February 13, 2019 - Jupiter Entertainment

​NPACT and Broadcast Television Journalists Announce Award Categories

February 12, 2019 | Realscreen: NPACT and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) have unveiled the categories and submission guidelines for the 2019 Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards. This list of awards will soon be joined by three peer-voted honors from NPACT.  READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Realscreen Summit 2019
NPACT Scenes from New Orleans

West Coast Members Cheer the Holiday and Hear The New Normal

December 11, 2018 | Los Angeles: NPACT members on the west coast gathered to hear Gil Goldschein talk about Bunim-Murray's made-for-mobile experiences and to celebrate the passing of another year.

New York Members Celebrate Close of Another Year with Magilla's ​Matt Ostrom

East Coast Small Group Member Lunch Features A&E's Elaine Frontain Bryant

Production Orgs Form Global Creative Alliance

October 15, 2018 | Realscreen: Production trade organizations from 15 countries convened in Cannes to announce the formation of the Global Creative Alliance, a partnership designed to foster collaboration and help facilitate coproduction opportunities. NPACT is a member of the Alliance, and Executive Committee Member Jenny Daly (pictured) signed the MOU at the Cannes ceremony on NPACT's behalf. Presiding over the ceremony was Pact's John McVay, (also pictured) also a member of NPACT's Executive Committee. 
​​​READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Development Think Tank in LA

Great turnout at the inaugural NPACT Think Tank in LA!  Very productive discussion and positive problem solving!

John Ford Updates NY Members on NPACT Happenings

New York Members Go Inside Bravo with Rachel Smith

A&E, Big Fish Among Winners at Inaugural NPACT Impact Awards

June 4, 2018 | Realscreen: A&E Network has taken two out of five awards at the inaugural NPACT Impact Awards, held in Santa Monica Monday night (June 4).
     Actor and comedian Bob Saget served as host for the evening’s festivities, held at Santa Monica’s Museum of Flying. READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY BARRY WALSH HERE.

West Coasters Journey Into Amazon World of Unscripted

May 15, 2018 | Los Angeles: Heather Schuster of Amazon Studios informs and enlightens 50+ members in attendance at the NPACT Members Only Breakfast.

NPACT Announces Nominees for its Impact Awards
Bob Saget Booked as Host

April 27, 2018 | Variety: NPACT has set its inaugural Impact Awards, a program to honor producers, buyers and agents in the unscripted arena, for June 4 with comedian and actor Bob Saget set to host, Variety has learned exclusively. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Bob Saget (Photo by Brian Friedman)

West Coast Members Talk Shop

Members Huddle in Los Angeles

LA Members Gather for February Meeting

Adjusting Cable

January 26, 2018 | C21Media: This month’s RealScreen Summit in Washington marks a year since John Ford, general manager of the Non-Fiction Producers’ Association, painted a bleak future for the factual production business in the US.
     Declines in cable subscriptions, skinny bundling and lower ad rates had seen cablenets erode the 10% profit margin in production budgets to the point of sending some companies to the wall, he said, and something had to give.
​     Well, a year on and cable subscriptions are still declining, skinny bundles are getting skinnier and ad dollars are still heading elsewhere. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Amazon Unloved in NPACT Survey

January 25, 2018 | C21Media: US producer body NPACT has revealed its annual survey findings, with Showtime voted as the favourite US network or platform to deal with and Amazon among the worst. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Unscripted TV Producers List Showtime, CBS, A&E Among Top Networks

January 25, 2018 | TV Real: According to a new survey from NPACT, producers of nonfiction entertainment content have ranked Showtime as their favorite network/platform to deal with overall. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Showtime, CBS, A&E Named Best Networks to Work With: NPACT Survey

January 24, 2018 | Realscreen: The second annual survey of the U.S. network landscape from producers advocacy organization NPACT has been released, with some new names taking top spots in comparison to last year’s survey.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Reality Producers Favor Showtime, Dislike Working With Amazon and MTV

January 24, 2018 | The Hollywood Reporter: ​Who did nonfiction and unscripted producers like working with in 2017? Showtime, CBS and A&E, it appears.
     The 2018 poll of reality production companies, conducted by the recently joined Nonfiction Producers Association and PactUS (NPACT), offers insights into who — and over an expanded playing field.  READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Members Celebrated the Holidays at Gatherings in NYC and LA

Will Disney's Streaming Service Be Able to Compete with Netflix?

November 20, 2017 | CNBC: John Ford, former Discovery Channel president, and Andrew Wallenstein, co-editor-in-chief at Variety, discuss Disney's plans for its own streaming service to be priced to undercut Netflix. SEE THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE.

Reality Shows Seek Status in a VOD World

October 30, 2017 | Multichannel News: “Nonfiction may not be as sexy, but it’s very, very cost-effective,” said John Ford, a former Discovery executive and now general manager of NPACT. “So you look at broadcast and cable any time of year, you take out sports programming, and many of the top 10, top 15, top 20 programs are nonscripted." ​READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

The Challenges and Positive Trends of the Non-Fiction Ecosystem

October 12, 2017 | Realscreen: NPACT GM John Ford stresses understanding between networks and producers as they navigate together the new reality of an exploding cable industry in an interview with Realscreen's Barry Walsh. ​ READ IT HERE.

NPACT's First-Ever Mini Trade Show

September 12, 2017: It was a packed house at the LA member meeting on September 12th as John Ford updated the group on the network ranking survey and NPACT Associate Member companies offered special deals. READ THE FULL REPORT HERE.

John Ford Discusses the NPA-PactUS Merger

June 12, 2017 | Realscreen: Realscreen caught up with John Ford, General Manager of NPACT, at Realscreen West in Santa Monica to talk about the merger.  ​READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

PactUS and Non-Fiction Producers Association (NPA) Merge to Create NPACT

June 5, 2017 | NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES: In an unprecedented show of solidarity that signifies the unity and strength of the non-fiction content production business, the Nonfiction Producers Association (NPA) and PactUS – the two major trade organizations formed to serve the producers of non-fiction entertainment content – today announced they have merged to create a new association: NPACT.  READ THE FULL RELEASE HERE