Channel 4 Hires for Doc Commissioning Post

Charlotte Desai has been named documentaries commissioning editor at the U.K.’s Channel 4.

Desai will be reporting to C4’s head of documentaries, Nick Mirsky, and the two will be working closely together. Desai will be charged with finding new ideas for the 9 p.m. slot, both multipart formats and documentaries with the potential to become returnable strands and more focused series and films that capture the concerns and preoccupations of contemporary Britain. In addition, Desai’s remit will include new ideas for 10 p.m., namely those with the potential to develop in the same way as the department’s successful First Dates series.

Desai joins Channel 4 from Shine TV, where her focus was primarily on generating new business and securing commissions from various broadcasters across a range of genres, including documentaries and factual formats. She has previously worked in factual at the BBC, where her credits include Trouble at the Top and films in the Wonderland strand.

Mirksy said: “I am really delighted that Charlotte is joining us. She has a range of impressive program-making credits as well as commissioning experience at Sky and a depth of development experience at factual and factual-entertainment companies. Her job will be all about finding the next generation of high-impact factual TV on Channel 4.”

Desai added: “I’m really looking forward to collaborating with Nick, his talented team and independent producers to help develop and shape bold new ideas with broad appeal.”