New Director of Programs for Sky1, 2 & 3

LONDON: Stuart Murphy has been tapped to succeed Richard Woolfe as the director of programs for Sky1, 2 and 3.

Woolfe will step down in mid-March, prior to joining Five as director of programs in May. Murphy is expected to take up the post at the start of May, until this time Sky1’s commissioning editor of factual, Andrew O’Connell, will operate as acting controller.

As the first controller of BBC Three, Murphy commissioned hit comedies Little Britain, Early Doors, The Mighty Boosh and Gavin and Stacey; dramas such as Casanova, Bodies and Torchwood; and factual shows such as Little Angels, The Real Hustle, Dog Borstal and The House of Tiny Tearaways. Stuart joined Twofour in 2006 and served as the company’s creative director.

Sophie Turner Laing, Sky’s managing director of entertainment, said: "Stuart is a great television talent with proven programming flair and multichannel expertise. His track record in popular factual, drama and entertainment credentials are clear, making him a perfect fit for leading Sky1, 2 and 3. The channel is in exceptionally good health and I would like to thank Richard Woolfe who has done an excellent job over the last three years in establishing its identity and growing success in award-winning original programs to complement our strength in U.S. acquisitions. I’m very much looking forward to working with Stuart, assured that until his arrival the channel is in the very safe hands of Andrew O’Connell."

Murphy added: "I can’t wait to join the team at Sky, though leaving one of the best indies in the country in Twofour has been an extremely difficult decision. I’m very proud of what we have all achieved here. However the chance to work across Sky1, 2 and 3 was too enticing an offer to refuse. Sky attracts fantastic talent on and off screen and this—combined with a reputation for jaw-dropping technological innovation—make it a very compelling place to want to work."