ITV Creates Reality & Acquisitions Department

As ITV moves to a complete genre-based commissioning structure, the broadcaster has created a new reality and acquisitions department.

Paul Mortimer will serve as director of reality and acquisitions. He will be tasked with commissioning in this genre for younger audiences and will have overall responsibility for acquisitions, as ITV looks to ramp up content hours in the run-up to the launch of ITVX.

Amanda Stavri, commissioner of Love Island and The Cabins, will move to Mortimer’s team, as will Peter Tierney, who focuses on younger-skewing shows. Mortimer will continue to oversee the acquisitions team, including Sasha Breslau, head of acquisitions, and Darren Nartey, acquisitions manager for film and kids. Mortimer will also continue to be controller of ITV2, CITV and ITVBe, with responsibility for the teams who program these channels.

Mortimer said: “ITV’s move toward genre-based commissioning across all our platforms has produced some exciting opportunities for many in the Content Team, including myself.

“As we ramp up our activity in third-party acquisitions, I’ll be working with our expanded team to source programming from new and existing partners and looking at a range of deals that should benefit our suppliers as much as they will ITV.

“The newly formed reality programming team, together with increased investment in the genre, will give producers new opportunities to work with us on content proven to drive engagement on streaming services as well as channels. As we look to commission for ITVX primarily, building on the success of Love Island and our other reality brands, Amanda and Pete and I will be actively searching for the next big formats that target younger audiences especially, and we can’t wait to get started.”

Rosemary Newell, ITV’s content director, said: “It’s a really exciting time for ITV’s content commissioning team, and with our move to one content budget, the teams across genres are now focused on commissioning for audiences, across all platforms, however, they choose to watch, rather than simply for slots in the schedule.

“I’m delighted that Paul is going to head this new commissioning department, looking after the genres that he is passionate about, working with Amanda and Pete and producers to bring new and exciting ideas to ITV platforms, as well as keeping fresh our big successful brands.”