Apparently John Ford just couldn't say goodbye to the broadcasting realm. Just months after realscreen reported on his departure from National Geographic and his plans to enter the world of independent production, Discovery Communications announces Ford's appointment as president of the Military Channel and Discovery Times Channel.

Ford was with Discovery for 13 years prior to his start at Nat Geo in 2003. In those 13 years he helped launch HD Theater, served as president of the Discovery Health Channel, launched discoveryhealth.com and was EVP and GM of TLC.

Ford recently left his position as EVP of programming at Nat Geo to focus on creating feature-length docs through the launch of production company Bassett Ridge Productions. That plan seems to be on hold with his return to Discovery.

And he returns, after four years away, to work with new management at Discovery, including David Zaslav and Bruce Campbell. Clint Stinchcomb had been overseeing Discovery Times and Military, but with Ford's appointment is now shifting to focus on the company's HD strategy, including the management of HD Theater and Turbo Media, a multi-platform destination for all things motorized that will air on TLC and HD Theater.