Five appoints Channel 4's Kandola to drive US acquisitions

by Staff Brand Republic 26-Apr-05, 11:00

LONDON - Five has poached Channel 4's Jay Kandola, the woman responsible for buying 'Desperate Housewives', to become its new director of acquisitions.

Kandola, currently deputy director of acquisitions at Channel 4, joined the broadcaster in 1998. She was responsible for securing 'The Simpsons' last year and the forthcoming plane crash drama 'Lost'. She is also behind the most successful signing of the year, 'Desperate Housewives', which attracts more than 5m viewers each week.

Prior to joining Channel 4, Kandola worked at the BBC where she held a number of roles before moving to programme acquisitions.

Kandola will be charged with securing the best US acquisitions for Five. The broadcaster's top-rated shows, including the 'CSI' franchise and 'Law and Order' are US acquisitions.

Dan Chambers, Five's director of programmes, said: "We want to ensure that Five remains the home of America's finest programmes.

"Jay is one of the best operators in the international acquisitions market and I am delighted that she has agreed to join Five."

Kandola joins Five in the summer.

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