Decker Watson
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Decker Watson (born Richard Decker Watson Jr.) is a multi-Emmy-winning showrunner, executive producer, writer and director who has built a career chronicling the world’s deadliest professions.
Watson is best known for the feature film Finestkind (Paramount) and television series Deadliest Catch (Discovery), Ice Road Truckers, IRT: Deadliest Roads (both History), Swords: Life On The Line (Discovery), and Pirate Gold of Adak Island (Netflix).[1]
Directing second unit on Finestkind, Watson helmed the action sequences which were authentically filmed at sea.[2] Finestkind debuted on Paramount+ as the #1 film world wide and is nominated for a Critic's Choice Award.[3] On the Netflix series Pirate Gold of Adak Island, Watson served as the writer, co-creator and executive producer.[4] The series charted on Netflix as their #4 series, remaining in the top 10 for several weeks with a viewership of over 15 million.[5] As the executive producer and show-runner on Deadliest Catch, Watson presided over nearly 300 hours of highly rated television; often the most watched of the night broadcast. In its ninth season, Watson steered the series towards a ratings increase of 12% [6] for the premier (over season 8's inaugural episode) with 3.47 million viewers. Season 10 debuted to the show's best ratings in three seasons and continued as the #1 cable show in key demos for all 16 weeks.[7] Between the Telly Awards, Reality Wanted Awards, Real Screen and the EMMYs Deadliest Catch took home eleven trophies for season 10; its most awarded season to date. Season 11 premiered at #1 and remained the top cable show in all key demos for its entire 18-week run ending up over 7%. With 49 million viewers in over 150 countries worldwide, Deadliest Catch is the most popular adventure reality show in history.[8]
Watson is currently developing the feature films Jones Locker and Tic Tac, scripted series Timber and North Slope, and an untitled feature documentary.[9] Since 2004, Watson has worked for 101 Studios, Paramount, Netflix, Original Productions, Discovery, New Line Cinema, HBO, History Channel, VH1, MTV, BET, Bravo and A&E.