In
Demand, the leading transactional video on demand and pay per
view programming distributor owned by Charter Communications, Comcast
Cable, and Cox Communications, today announced that media industry
veteran John Ward has joined the company as CTO. He will report to Dale
Hopkins, In Demand’s President and CEO.
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John Ward, CTO In Demand (Photo: Business Wire)
In his new role, Ward will be responsible for driving the scale,
efficiency, and speed-to-market advances in transactional video on
demand (TVOD) and pay per view (PPV) entertainment to the millions of
homes In Demand services each week. Additionally, he will elevate In
Demand’s technical vision and identify new, best-in-class technologies
to move the industry forward. Ward will also run day-to-day technology
operations.
Ward has worked for the AT&T Entertainment Group, DirecTV, and Fox
Sports in a variety of executive production and content operation roles.
During those years, Ward racked up 12 Sports Emmy wins including the
prestigious George Wensel Technical Achievement Award for the MLB
Network 4K/HD Dualcast that introduced ultra high-definition TV sports
coverage for displays with 4K resolution.
Ward sits on the Advisory Boards of the Sports
Video Group, an industry organization, and Videocoin,
a blockchain technology start-up. Most recently, he was the Senior Vice
President, Operations for Deluxe Entertainment Services where he was
responsible for oversight of production, operations, and a staff of
editors that created content for distribution via major theatrical
release, linear television, and over-the-top (OTT) distribution.
“This opportunity intersects everything I am passionate about—sports,
movies, technology, and delivering the best content experience available
today,” said Ward. “Plus, the industry is rapidly changing the way it
delivers content, and this opportunity allows me to be at the heart of
the media innovation cycle.”
“John is going to do great things for In Demand, our partners, and our
customers, and we’re excited for him to get started,” said Hopkins. “We
just hope there is enough room in his new office for his 12 Emmy statues
and numerous other awards,” continued Hopkins.
Ward is a graduate of North Carolina State University and in 2018 was
honored as their Distinguished Alumnus, College of Humanities & Social
Sciences.
About In Demand:
In Demand is an innovative partnership between three of the leading
cable companies in the U.S.—Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and
Cox Communications. In Demand is a company of trusted content
aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise
and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues,
Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across
North America. In Demand delivers great content to more than 60 million
cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 200 companies. For
more information, go to indemand.com.
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