David Ernest Plowright CBE (11 December 1930 – 24 August 2006) was a British television executive and producer.
He began his career in journalism as a reporter on the Scunthorpe Star, and was, briefly, the equestrian correspondent of the Yorkshire Post.
[2] Plowright rose to become Controller of Programmes from 1969 to 1979, and he succeeded Denis Forman first as managing director, and then Chairman of Granada Television in 1987.
Plowright's exit was regarded as a turning point in the process whereby ITV gave profits a bigger priority than programme quality.
He believed the nations and regions of the United Kingdom should have a bigger share in the production and decision-making processes of the major broadcasters.