Former WBD docs exec to lead Pioneer Productions

Former Warner Bros Discover senior vice-president Howard Swartz has joined Tinopolis label Pioneer Productions as its chief executive.

Swartz joins immediately from his current position at Stephen David Entertainment where he has served as executive vice-president of production and development. He will relocate from Virginia to London.

His appointment comes after a period of flux for Pioneer. Swartz replaces Jonathan Hewes who left Pioneer as chief at the beginning of 2024, leaving the position vacant for over a year. Broadcast revealed creative director Thomas Viner had exited at the end of last year, with the company “reviewing its offering based on the current needs of the market”.

As chief at Pioneer, Swartz will lead efforts to expand Pioneer’s slate of factual content across an array of genres including feature docs, limited series and docuseries as well as formats aimed at younger, digital-first audiences.

During his time at WBD, Swartz oversaw over 100 hours of Shark Week and launched several acclaimed limited docuseries and feature docs including Serengeti and Emmy-nominated feature January 6.

“Pioneer Productions has always stood for intelligent, ambitious, and entertaining factual content” said Swartz, who is aiming to usher in a change of direction in the company’s ambitions.

“In the midst of this global television transformation, I’m looking forward to building a slate that honours the company’s DNA while creative space for fresh voices, new topics, and formats that can entertain and inform audiences across broadcast, streaming, digital and whatever platform might come next.”

Pioneer Productions has been behind factual series including Animals After Dark on Channel 5, David Baddiel on the Silk Road for Discovery and The Windsor Castle Fire: The Untold Story on Channel 4.

Jennifer Roberts, chief executive officer of Tinopolis, said Swartz brings “deep industry experience, a proven balance of strategy and execution, and strong relationships that I know will open doors to storytelling talent at the highest levels”.

She added his appointment “marks a new chapter in Pioneer’s story, building on a great legacy and laser-focused on where factual is heading next”.