Industry

The BBC has announced a new Entertainment commissioning structure as part of its ongoing evolution of content strategy, following the recent creation of two new Director roles for Entertainment and Factual. The move reflects the growing strategic importance of unscripted content and is designed to provide greater creative focus, faster decision-making and clearer routes into commissioning for producers across the UK.

The new model will sit under Ed Havard, BBC Director of Entertainment, and will be organised around three key genres: Studio Entertainment, Constructed Reality, and Features and Events and Fiona Campbell as the Director of Factual

Kate Phillips, BBC Chief Content Officer, said that the commissioning process must continue to evolve in order to better serve both audiences and the creative community across the UK. “Commissioning needs to evolve so we can serve our audiences, and the creative community, right across the UK,” Phillips said. “The new structure will give us clearer creative focus and simpler routes into commissioning for the hundreds of producers we work with. It also puts us in a strong position for the future by driving digital growth both on and off platform. Our new Director of Entertainment Ed Havard will be carrying this work forward, to ensure we keep delivering memorable and much-loved content, that brings people of all ages together.”

The new Entertainment commissioning model will be divided into three genre areas. Studio Entertainment will cover live or as-live shows, including major titles such as Strictly Come Dancing, Gladiators and quiz formats. Constructed Reality will focus on returning factual entertainment brands, including The Apprentice, Race Across the World and The Traitors. Features and Events will include passion-led programming such as gardening, food and antiques shows, as well as daytime programmes and major national moments.

The creation of these new genre areas marks a shift away from the existing model, which currently includes Entertainment, Factual Entertainment & Events, and Daytime & Early Peak. The BBC plans to move to the new structure in the autumn.

Ed Havard said the simplified structure is intended to remove overlap, sharpen creative remits and allow the BBC to work more efficiently with suppliers and partners.
“A simpler and faster Entertainment structure sets us up for continued success across the entire slate,” Havard said. “These new genres will provide clearer remits for our suppliers and for our partners - both internally and externally. By removing any overlap, we’ll be able to increase our focus on developing the very best ideas in each genre, and simplify our operations to work at pace to deliver for audiences right across the UK.”

As part of the changes, three new Heads of Commissioning roles will be created to lead the newly defined genre areas. Two of these positions will be based outside London, with a preference for Salford or Glasgow, reinforcing the BBC’s commitment to expanding its presence across the UK and ensuring that programming reflects and serves audiences nationwide.

photo: BBC Press