Channel 5 commissioning editor Sean Doyle has been hired by Channel 4 as its new Deputy Head of Features & Formats.
In the newly established role at C4, he will work closely with Channel 4’s new Head of Features & Formats, Sarah Lazenby across the department’s slate of programming – with a particular focus on Channel 4’s 8pm slot. He will also have specific responsibility for leading Features and Formats’ work with Nations & Regions producers.
At Channel 5, Doyle was the commissioner responsible for the channel’s reinvention of Blind Date and its move into Saturday night entertainment programming. He also commissioned channel hits such as Gino’s Win Your Wish List, the Sinkholes brand, Jo Brand’s Cats & Kittens, Britain’s Parking Hell, and the RTS winning, In Solitary: The Anti-Social Experiment.
He also oversaw brands such as Police Interceptors, The Dog Rescuers, Extreme Railway Journeys with Chris Tarrant and the relaunch of The Gadget Show with Craig Charles.
Prior to joining Channel 5 he was Head of Development for BBC Features Formats and Daytime and created Portillo’s State Secrets and Blitz Cities which were produced from Northern Ireland for BBC One and BBC Two.
He is based in Belfast and will continue to divide his time between London and the Nations & Regions.
Channel 4’s Deputy Director of Programmes, Kelly Webb-Lamb said: “Sean has a brilliant creative mind as well as a sharp eye for an opportunity which is exactly what we need in Features and Formats. He’s deeply rooted in the Nations and Regions and will be a key figure in our work there. And… he’s got a wicked sense of humour, which means – with him and Sarah Lazenby together – the Features and Formats team will without doubt be in line for the ‘funniest corner of broadcasting’ award. I can’t wait to have him here.”
Sarah Lazenby said: “Sean is a really experienced commissioner, with a palpable passion for making TV, and I can’t wait for him to join the team.”
Sean Doyle said: “After three fantastic years with Ben and my colleagues in the commissioning team it is with a heavy heart that I leave Channel 5. However, the opportunity to join the newly merged Features and Formats team at Channel 4 is one that I am truly relishing and couldn’t resist. I honestly can’t wait to get cracking on the hunt to find the biggest and best ideas from all over the UK for the department as part of this hugely exciting new era for Channel 4.”
Staff Reporter
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