Crime Producer Joins Tern TV In Belfast

A top UK independent production company, Tern Television has announced the expansion of its Northern Ireland operation by appointing the producer David Malone to its Belfast office.

Malone's role is to expand the factual 'slate' and be the executive producer for a planned series of new TV programmes made in Belfast.

Malone is best known for his internationally acclaimed crime documentaries with Donal Macintyre and controversial documentaries with Jon Ronson as well as films for C4's Cutting Edge and Witness strands.

Malone's expertise in pushing the boundaries of popular journalism to create new and radical TV series will reinforce Tern's push into further formatted factual series and high-end specialist factual.

Harry Bell, Creative Director at Tern, said: "David is one of the few really outstanding international draws in factual TV. His work with Donal speaks for itself, but he's also a highly experience entertainment studio producer. He's a genre-bending hotshot and we're thrilled he's joining our senior management team."

Despite the difficulties facing the industry, Malone is upbeat about the future: "While much of the industry is in recession, Northern Ireland is increasingly being seen as a credible network factual centre, with the level of production set to increase substantially, primarily due to the BBC commitment to fill its defined out of London network targets. Tern's Scottish teams are now acclaimed network providers and the Northern Ireland operation is gearing up to follow suit."

Malone's appointment follows hot on the heels of Tern Belfast's Bafta nominated and Prix Italia award-winning film for BBC/RTE The Father The Son and The Housekeeper.

The Indie's London development team has recently been staffed up with Fraser Brown appointed as Features Format Development Specialist joining from RDF Media and Helen Quinn as Specialist Factual Development.

(KMcA/BMcC)