Category: 91Èȱ¬; TV Ent; TV Drama; Factual & Arts TV
Date: 18.02.2005
Printable version
Changes to the Entertainment and Comedy Commissioning team will help to put the window of creative competition (WOCC) into action and ensure a true meritocracy of commissioning, Jana Bennett, Director of Television, 91Èȱ¬, announced today.
Ìý
These developments are the latest commissioning team changes in response to the recent Content Supply, Out of London and Value for Money reviews.
Ìý
In Entertainment, there will be a new role of Head of Comedy Commissioning to commission all in-house and independent scripted comedy, reporting to Jane Lush, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning, as part of the Entertainment team.
Ìý
We are inviting appropriate senior individuals to be considered.
Ìý
The Head of Comedy Commissioning will be supported by a Commissioning Editor, Comedy, Out of London - based in Glasgow.
Ìý
This role will be responsible for developing Out of London comedy proposals, with a £9m dedicated budget.
Ìý
There are also three new senior roles to replace the current Commissioning Executive roles: Executive Editor, Mainstream Entertainment; Executive Editor, Format Entertainment; and Executive Editor, Comedy Entertainment.
Ìý
Each will work with independent and in house programme makers, and will have a clear brief and a dedicated development budget.
Ìý
Jon Beazley has been appointed as Executive Editor, Mainstream Entertainment and Fenia Vardanis will become Executive Editor, Format Entertainment.
Ìý
Executive Editor, Comedy Entertainment and the Commissioning Editor, Comedy, Out of London will both be advertised.
Ìý
We are examining the structure of the other roles in the Entertainment Commissioning team and will announce details as soon as possible.
Ìý
Jane Lush, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning, says: "Entertainment and Comedy are incredibly important to our audiences; I'm confident these changes will help us get the very best programmes on screen."
Ìý
In Drama, changes have already begun with the recent appointments of John Yorke and Lucy Richer.
Ìý
The Factual genre and Daytime are each introducing a new commissioning role out of London to better reflect the diversity of the audience and to help build thriving production bases across the UK.
Ìý
They are:
Ìý
Commissioning Editor, Documentaries - based in Bristol as part of the new Factual team
Ìý
Commissioning Editor, Factual and Entertainment for Daytime - based in Birmingham.
Ìý
The Daytime Commissioning Editor post will be advertised at the same time as the others.
Ìý
Interviews for the factual commissioning posts are currently taking place over the next two weeks.
Ìý
A simplified commissioning process across the board will add clarity about roles and responsibilities.
Ìý
Full teams are expected to be in place by June.
Ìý
Jana Bennett says: "Our primary commitment and determination is to ensure a true meritocracy of commissioning - getting the best ideas on screen as efficiently and as effectively as we can, irrespective of who makes them - and the new structure in each genre is designed to ensure that happens."
Ìý
In the past year, even without the creative window in place, the 91Èȱ¬'s commissioning of independents is forecast at more than 30%, well over the 25% quota, for the first time in its history.
Ìý
"Equal access and a one-stop shop for independents and in-house suppliers will ensure a level playing field and a simpler, faster commissioning process should underpin it," she said.
Ìý
"A strong independent sector and a flourishing in-house production base are not mutually exclusive and will stimulate the competition that will deliver the best ideas to the audience."
Ìý
Notes to Editors
Ìý
The window of creative competition, part of the 91Èȱ¬'s proposals for Charter Review, gives a 50% guarantee for the 91Èȱ¬'s in-house production arm, 25% for independent production companies and the final 25% open to completely free competition.
Ìý
In house production capability is to be reduced by 10% to open up the necessary space.
