Channel 4 has announced the appointment of Sarah Dillistone as the lead for new in-house production business.
Dillistone has been US-based for the past six years executive producing for Fox, Hulu, Peacock and Netflix on series including Perfect Match, The Ultimatum, The Ultimatum: Queer Love and the Paris & Nicole reunion show.
She will start to develop in-house production capabilities as part of Channel 4’s Fast Forward strategy to “diversify and grow revenues to remain a strong and successful business and reinvest back into the creative economy.”
Channel 4 says there will be “clear operational separation,” with the new production business “with reporting lines and management distinct from Channel 4 commissioning for robust and fair access to Channel 4 commissions for independent producers.” Channel 4 has also committed to an increased indie quota from 25% to 35% from 2026.
Dillistone will be responsible for setting up a development team and establishing key business functions and capabilities. The initial focus will be on content within the factual entertainment, reality and entertainment genres.
Before her time in the US, she executive produced series including The Only Way Is Essex, Made in Chelsea and The Real Housewives of Cheshire. She spent many years building Lime Pictures’ unscripted business before moving to Monkey Kingdom (NBCUniversal), where she showran flagship series. She also brings commissioning-side experience, having previously been a buyer at Channel 4.
Sarah Dillistone comments: “I’m incredibly excited to be stepping into this role at such a pivotal moment for Channel 4. The channel has been a defining part of my career, so it feels especially meaningful to return and help shape what comes next, while continuing the relationships I’ve built across the US and international markets. I’m keen to work closely with an ambitious team to develop bold, distinctive programming that resonates in the UK and beyond.”
Jonathan Allan, Interim CEO of Channel 4, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sarah Dillistone back to the UK and to Channel 4 as our leader of in-house production. Sarah has an amazing track record of transforming unscripted businesses and creating some of the most iconic formats of a generation, so I could not think of a better person to build our creative production capabilities and diversify our revenues.”
Jon Creamer
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