Channel 4 Appoints Commissioning Editor for E4

Channel 4 has tapped Mel Bezalel, previously the director of development at RDF Television, as commissioning editor for E4.

Bezalel will be focused on finding, developing and overseeing a range of original, large-scale unscripted commissions aimed at 16 to 34s, as well as further developing the relationship between E4 and All 4 growth. She will be reporting to the head of youth and digital, Karl Warner. Bezalel will join Channel 4 in August.

During her time at RDF, Bezalel has overseen the development of a range of unscripted shows such as Lodgers For Old Codgers (Channel 4); How To Spend It Well With Phillip Schofield (ITV); The Making of Me (Channel 4); 100 Year Old Driving School (ITV); Shop Well For Less (BBC One); My New Greek Life (Channel 5); Being Black, Going Crazy (BBC Three), Secret Life of Four Year Olds specials (Channel 4) and 12 Puppies and Us (BBC Two).

Warner said: “Mel is a top-class creative with a brilliant track record and I’m thrilled she’s joining the team as our dedicated E4 commissioner. I can’t wait for her to supercharge our development strategy, live and breathe the E4 audience, and start commissioning shows to help drive All 4 even harder.”

Bezalel said: “It’s an absolute dream job to be joining Karl and the E4 team and a real privilege to be focusing on creative shows for E4’s young audience who are so discerning and passionate about what they watch across platforms. As an alumna of Channel 4’s Production Trainee Scheme as well, it’s fantastic to return to the broadcaster that took a chance on me as a former print journalist.

“I’m so grateful to Jim Allen and my brilliant colleagues at RDF, who I’ve spent over half of my TV career with. Moving on feels like an emotional break-up from a teen drama, but like all the best ones—despite now seeing other people, we remain good friends.”