Sky Restructures Entertainment Team

LONDON: Sky is reorganizing its entertainment team, with Zai Bennett taking on the new role of director of programs for Sky Entertainment in the U.K. and Ireland, effective immediately.

Bennett will have overall oversight of the U.K. Entertainment team, which includes Adam MacDonald, director of Sky 1 and Sky Living; Phil Edgar-Jones, director of Sky Arts and non-scripted; Jon Mountague, head of comedy; and Lucy Murphy, head of kids’ content. Bennett will continue to have responsibility for Sky Atlantic, and will be supported by Jamie Morris, who becomes channel editor for Sky Atlantic while continuing to manage the scheduling for Sky Arts and Sky Atlantic.

MacDonald will continue to lead Sky 1 and Sky Living, supported by Stephen Ladlow overseeing the free-to air networks Pick and Challenge. Edgar-Jones will continue to manage Sky Arts, including the Arts Hub in Milan, with additional responsibility for non-scripted programming. The original comedy slate will remain under the leadership of Mountague, with a focus on new and returning scripted comedy. Murphy will also work under Bennett, as Sky continues to build on its successes in children’s programming. Anne Mensah continues her oversight of drama, reporting to Davey, as does Sarah Wright in acquired programming.

Gary Davey, Sky’s managing director of content, remarked: “Zai has been a key member of the content team since 2014 and in that time has done an outstanding job of managing and curating the brilliant Sky Atlantic brand. I am delighted with the progress we have made on our content journey in the U.K. and we are ready to take our programming to a whole new level. The changes announced today will enable us to have a clearer focus for the content plan in the U.K. and Ireland while other members of my team continue to have responsibilities to both the U.K. and the rest of Europe.”

Bennett stated: “It’s a hugely exciting time for Sky’s Entertainment channels, with more amazing new original and acquired shows than ever before. I’m really looking forward to working incredibly closely with Gary, Adam, Phil, Jon, Anne, Sarah, Jamie and Lucy on how we continue to raise the bar and offer our customers the very best TV.”