New Entertainment Team for Channel 4

LONDON: Ed Havard, Channel 4’s head of entertainment and TV events, has revealed the network’s new entertainment team.

Karen Murdoch was named commissioning editor for entertainment. She joins commissioning editor Syeda Irtizaali and commissioning executive Antonia Howard Taylor. Commissioning editor Sarah Lazenby continues to work across factual entertainment and entertainment.

Throughout her career, Murdoch has produced for such companies as Magnum Media, Zeppotron, Objective, Open Mike, Princess Productions and Burning Bright. Before joining C4, she was an executive producer on the fifth and sixth seasons of Duck Quacks Don’t Echo.

Havard said: “Karen has had huge experience and success in production and has worked with many of the best entertainment indies. She is also a hugely popular figure and we’re incredibly excited that she has joined the team.”

Meanwhile, Tom Beck was elevated to head of live events, responsible for such key channel events as The Crystal Maze and Stand Up to Cancer. He also remains a commissioning editor for entertainment.

Havard added: “Tom has brought real scale and ambition to live events from Stand Up to Cancer to the TFI Anniversary Special and his new role reflects the importance of events like this on the channel.”

Madeline Ireland is Channel 4’s entertainment and events genre assistant, while Katie Buckley remains program coordinator for the department. All team members will continue to work under Havard.