New Senior Commissioning Appointments at Channel 4

Channel 4 has bolstered its senior commissioning team, promoting Alf Lawrie to head of factual entertainment and Stephen Lyle to head of sport.

Lawrie will oversee the factual-entertainment slate across the Channel 4 portfolio and lead the factual-entertainment commissioning team. He will be reporting to deputy director of programs, Kelly Webb-Lamb. Lawrie is currently the commissioning editor for specialist factual.

Webb-Lamb said: “Alf is one of the rare people in telly whose experience spans the breadth of what we do in Channel 4 fact ent. From wrangling talent like Naomi Campbell, Alan Sugar, Gerry Robinson and Bear Grylls on huge fact-ent juggernauts to documentary series about Longleat for BBC One and triplets for ITV, the breadth of his talent is proven in his track record. He is one of TV’s good guys—a brave creative leader with wit and mischief, and an instinct for the popular which will help take the department on the next turn of the wheel.”

Lyle fills the new role of head of sport. He will report to the head of entertainment and live events, Ed Havard. Lyle has been commissioning editor for sport and head of F1 since 2015.

Havard commented: “Steve has played a key role in the recent boom of sport on Channel 4, from the Paralympics to Formula One. His promotion to head of sport will enable us to build on this success as we look to grow our sports slate even further, including the recent acquisition of the Rugby European Champion’s Cup. He is a hugely talented and creative commissioner and I’m delighted he is taking on this role as our ambition for sport on the channel continues to grow.”

Ian Katz, Channel 4’s director of programs, added: “Alf and Stephen have a fantastic track record of audacious and imaginative commissioning and program-making, and are respected across the industry. I’m delighted that they will be joining our leadership team.”