Lygo Exits Channel 4 for ITV

LONDON: Kevin Lygo, currently director of television and content at Channel 4, has been named managing director of ITV Studios, with Lee Bartlett, who currently holds the post, now set to focus exclusively on the company’s international business.

Announcing the appointment, ITV’s new chief executive, Adam Crozier, stressed the importance of the in-house production arm to the British broadcasting group’s business. “Kevin’s appointment underlines our commitment to ensuring home-grown content stays at the heart of our business and our focus on attracting the very best creative talent, both on and off-screen, to ITV. His track record in finding hit programs and exploiting content will be invaluable as ITV focuses on improving its hit rate across all platforms—television, online and mobile."

Crozier continued: “Lee Bartlett has done a fantastic job in establishing ITV as a global player and focussing the business on international growth. I am delighted that he will continue to oversee ITV Studios’ international interests and will be an integral part of the new team."

Peter Fincham, ITV’s director of television, channels and online, added: "This is a great signing for ITV as Kevin joins us at the very beginning of an exciting new era for the company. We have worked very successfully together in the past and I’m personally delighted that we will be renewing what I’m sure will be a very fruitful relationship.  Working closely with ITV Studios is a high priority for the network as we seek to ensure that we secure the best possible programs, and talent, for all our channels. Kevin is uniquely placed to make a real difference to those key objectives."