UKTV Unveils New Commissioning Structure

LONDON, March 27: UKTV’s
controller, Matthew Littleford, has undertaken a restructuring of the company’s
commissioning department, resulting in the creation of two new director of
commissioning posts and three new commissioning editor posts.

Under the revised
structure, the two new directors are expected to work closely together to
deliver compelling content across the UKTV network.

The company has named Jane
Rogerson as the director of commissioning for factual and factual
entertainment. Jane joins the network from ITV1, where, as controller of
features, she was integral to the production of Confessions of a Diary
Secretary, Ladette to Lady and Prehistoric Park, among others. In her new role, she will head the
factual and factual entertainment team, with responsibility for programming
across UKTV’s nine channels.

The second director of
commissioning has been chosen, but the appointee has not been announced.

Tess Cuming joins UKTV as
commissioning editor of entertainment. She arrives from North One Television,
where she served as executive producer in the factual entertainment and formats
department.

Meanwhile, Steve Grizzell
and Catherine Catton—the channel head of UKTV Style, UKTV Gardens and
UKTV People—are both confirmed as commissioning editors for factual and
factual entertainment. They will report to Rogerson.

Additionally, Joff Powell
has been named the development producer with overall responsibility for sourcing
and shaping program ideas for each of UKTV’s nine channels. He will maximize
UKTV’s key relationships with on-screen talent and independent production
companies.

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to unveil such a high calibre
commissioning team and we can’t wait to get cracking,” said Littleford. “UKTV
has now got some of the most creative and strategic brains in the business
working across our entertainment, factual and lifestyle genres and I’m
confident that we are now in a position to consistently create high quality,
compelling content that’s going to take the industry by storm.”

—By Ned Berke