UKTV hires key programming heads

by Fiona Ramsay Media Week 27-Mar-08, 13:01

LONDON - UKTV, the Virgin Media TV-backed pay TV broadcaster, has restructured its commissioning department, creating several new director and editor posts.

Jane Rogerson, who has been acting head of commissioning at UKTV, has been confirmed as director of commissioning, factual and factual entertainment.

Rogerson is credited with securing the World Rally Championships for UKTV channel Dave, and When Were We Funniest for UKTV Gold.

In her new role, she will head the factual and factual entertainment team, with responsibility for programming across UKTV's nine channels.

Rogerson will oversee two commissioning editors for factual and factual entertainment: Steve Grizzell, who originally joined UKTV on a contract basis from Discovery Channel, and Catherine Catton, channel head of UKTV Style, UKTV Gardens and UKTV People.

Catton is credited with driving UKTV Style's growth and launching UKTV Gardens in 2005. A channel head will be recruited to replace Catton.

A second director of commissioning has been appointed, with contracts due to be signed imminently.

UKTV has also appointed Tess Cuming to the position of commissioning editor of entertainment. She joins UKTV from North One Television, where she was executive producer in the factual entertainment and formats department.

Meanwhile, Joff Powell has been appointed development producer with overall responsibility for sourcing and shaping programme ideas for each of UKTV's channels.