Bedell Named Controller of BBC Entertainment, Multi-Platform Commissioning

LONDON, November 16:
Elaine Bedell has been appointed Controller of BBC Entertainment,
Multi-Platform Commissioning, completing the four-strong BBC Vision genre
controllers team lead by Jana Bennett.

BBC Vision consists of BBC
Television, Factual & Learning and Drama, Entertainment & Children's,
which have come together in a new group.

As Controller of BBC Entertainment,
Multi-Platform Commissioning, Bedell will lead the group that commissions
entertainment across BBC One, Two, Three and Four and for different platforms
such as broadband and mobile. The role covers entertainment formats, light
entertainment, entertainment events and archive entertainment. Bedell will take
her new post in December.

Previously the
Commissioning Editor for Features and Factual Entertainment since 2005, Elaine
has managed and commissioned such popular factual programs as Top Gear, The One Show, the new What Not To Wear
and Rogue Traders.

“Elaine is a strong
creative figure with a great track record in entertaining, enriching programs,
and I'm delighted she is taking this role,” says Jana Bennett the BBC’s
Director of Vision. “BBC Entertainment is on a high and will be an important
growth area for the BBC in future. From Strictly Come Dancing to The
Apprentice, and Friday Night
with Jonathan Ross to QI, BBC Entertainment has broken the mold in many
ways, and our innovative formats are beating all comers around the world. Getting
all four genre controllers in place is an important step in building the new
BBC Vision Group, which will help us meet audience expectations in the digital
age. Alongside the Channel Controllers, Elaine and her fellow commissioners
will make sure the BBC seeks the best, biggest and most creative program

ideas on all platforms.”

“I've loved factual
entertainment commissioning, but I'm really looking forward to getting in the
driving seat with the BBC's impressive entertainment slate,” adds Bedell.
“Thanks to Jon Beazley, it's in great shape, and I look forward to working with
him at BBC Vision Studios, as well as with the best creative talent in the
independent sector. But the biggest lure for me is the opportunity to take on
multi-media commissioning and to find and develop entertainment projects that
work on many different platforms.”