Since starting his television career at the Nine Network in 1991, John has amassed over 20 years of experience in the Australian television industry. In that time, he’s become one of the most respected names in the business – having created, developed and delivered premiere programming across a wide range of genres and for a variety of networks (including Ten, Nine, Seven, Lifestyle, Crime & Investigation, and GO!)
Starting as a researcher on the Today Show, his career there saw him produce on all genres of shows including factual, studio-based entertainment and lifestyle. Throughout the nineties he worked as a senior producer on A Current Affair and This Is Your Life before joining Sixty Minutes in 2001 as a Senior Producer. In 2003, John was appointed Executive Producer of A Current Affair before taking up the position as Head Of Factual Programming for the Nine Network in 2005 – a position he held for five years.
In this time, as well as being the Executive responsible for overseeing a raft of Network programmes such as Getaway, RPA, The Gift and Backyard Blitz to name a few, he was also instrumental in the development and launch of numerous other successful formats including Missing Persons Unit, 20 to 1, What’s Good For You, Farmer Wants A Wife and Domestic Blitz.
In March 2010, after 18 years at Nine, John joined Eyeworks Television Australia – first as the Head of International Production & Development then taking over as Managing Director later that year – a position he held until his departure in 2014.
By identifying key niches in the market, John was able to create new and ‘noisy’ ideas to fill those holes – bringing many successful commissions as a result.
He is the creator of both the Astra award-winning KALGOORLIE COPS (sold in multiple territories globally) and the Logie award-winning KINGS CROSS ER (two series which have been broadcast on Discovery US as well as in numerous other territories). Both shows aired on the CI Network in Australia and at the time respectively became the highest rating documentary programmes in Australian subscription television history. Both shows have also aired on the Nine Network.
Other titles he has created are TERRITORY COPS (a sequel to Kalgoorlie Cops), MEET THE FROCKERS (for Lifestyle Channel - with separate versions in both Australia and NZ), THE CROC CATCHERS (for Nat Geo Australia - has also been broadcast on NAT GEO WILD in the US and other territories), BEING LARA BINGLE (Ten Network), WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN BALI (Seven Network), WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN THAILAND (broadcasting in 2015 on the Seven Network), GOLD COAST COPS (Ten Network) and THE MEMORIAL: LEGEND OF THE ANZACS (for History Channel).
Now as the Founder and Managing Director of McAvoy Media he will continue to create original programming for broadcast in Australia and around the world.
John’s wealth of industry experience, along with the raft of long-standing relationships he has built with Australian networks throughout his career, has secured his reputation as a trusted production partner. With the launch of McAvoy Media, John looks forward to continuing to make his mark on the Australian television market well into the future.
