Category: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ; TV Ent; TV Drama; Factual & Arts TV
Date: 18.02.2005
Printable version
Changes to the Entertainment and Comedy Commissioning team will help to put the window of creative competition (WOCC) into action and ensure a true meritocracy of commissioning, Jana Bennett, Director of Television, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, announced today.
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These developments are the latest commissioning team changes in response to the recent Content Supply, Out of London and Value for Money reviews.
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In Entertainment, there will be a new role of Head of Comedy Commissioning to commission all in-house and independent scripted comedy, reporting to Jane Lush, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning, as part of the Entertainment team.
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We are inviting appropriate senior individuals to be considered.
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The Head of Comedy Commissioning will be supported by a Commissioning Editor, Comedy, Out of London - based in Glasgow.
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This role will be responsible for developing Out of London comedy proposals, with a Β£9m dedicated budget.
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There are also three new senior roles to replace the current Commissioning Executive roles: Executive Editor, Mainstream Entertainment; Executive Editor, Format Entertainment; and Executive Editor, Comedy Entertainment.
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Each will work with independent and in house programme makers, and will have a clear brief and a dedicated development budget.
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Jon Beazley has been appointed as Executive Editor, Mainstream Entertainment and Fenia Vardanis will become Executive Editor, Format Entertainment.
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Executive Editor, Comedy Entertainment and the Commissioning Editor, Comedy, Out of London will both be advertised.
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We are examining the structure of the other roles in the Entertainment Commissioning team and will announce details as soon as possible.
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Jane Lush, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning, says: "Entertainment and Comedy are incredibly important to our audiences; I'm confident these changes will help us get the very best programmes on screen."
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In Drama, changes have already begun with the recent appointments of John Yorke and Lucy Richer.
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The Factual genre and Daytime are each introducing a new commissioning role out of London to better reflect the diversity of the audience and to help build thriving production bases across the UK.
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They are:
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Commissioning Editor, Documentaries - based in Bristol as part of the new Factual team
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Commissioning Editor, Factual and Entertainment for Daytime - based in Birmingham.
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The Daytime Commissioning Editor post will be advertised at the same time as the others.
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Interviews for the factual commissioning posts are currently taking place over the next two weeks.
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A simplified commissioning process across the board will add clarity about roles and responsibilities.
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Full teams are expected to be in place by June.
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Jana Bennett says: "Our primary commitment and determination is to ensure a true meritocracy of commissioning - getting the best ideas on screen as efficiently and as effectively as we can, irrespective of who makes them - and the new structure in each genre is designed to ensure that happens."
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In the past year, even without the creative window in place, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's commissioning of independents is forecast at more than 30%, well over the 25% quota, for the first time in its history.
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"Equal access and a one-stop shop for independents and in-house suppliers will ensure a level playing field and a simpler, faster commissioning process should underpin it," she said.
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"A strong independent sector and a flourishing in-house production base are not mutually exclusive and will stimulate the competition that will deliver the best ideas to the audience."
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Notes to Editors
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The window of creative competition, part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's proposals for Charter Review, gives a 50% guarantee for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's in-house production arm, 25% for independent production companies and the final 25% open to completely free competition.
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In house production capability is to be reduced by 10% to open up the necessary space.
