Darren Childs has decided to step down from his role as CEO of UKTV.
He remains in his post until 1 July and the UKTV Board will now look for his replacement.
During his eight years in the job, UKTV says the company has grown its commercial share of viewing by 42%, driven a 66% increase in revenues, and nearly tripled profits.
During his tenure, the company also launched UKTV Play, its direct to consumer VOD service that has two million registered users.
The company has also greatly increased its commissioning of UKTV Originals, including Taskmaster, Dynamo: Magician Impossible and large scale live events including Monty Python Live: One Down Five To Go and David Haye Boxing, which drew some of the network’s highest rating audiences. UKTV has over 100 titles currently in production, including scripted comedy Sliced, starring and co-written by BAFTA-nominated Samson Kayo; and Expedition with Steve Backshall, an original series following the naturalist on a global adventure to uncharted territories. The company also recently expanded into drama, with Flack, a dark comedy-drama set in the glamorous world of Public Relations starring Academy Award winner, Anna Paquin.
The company also became the first television broadcaster to be featured in The Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For list.
Darren Childs, CEO UKTV, said: “It’s been the greatest honour to work with this fantastically talented group of people, I’m incredibly proud of what this team has created, and the successes they’ve built: growing audiences, working with our producer partners to create a collection of award-winning programmes; and making bold entertainment brands that stand out from the crowd. We’ve created a huge amount of value and had a lot of fun. I want to give my sincere thanks and appreciation for the support the team has given me and look forward to continuing to work with our group over the coming months to ensure I pass the baton in a seamless fashion. I wish the company every success for the future.”
JB Perrette, UKTV Board member and President & CEO Discovery International, said: “Darren is a fantastic executive who has helped build market leading brands and content, and a terrific team during his tenure at UKTV. He has made an invaluable contribution to the business and on behalf of Discovery and the UKTV Board, I want to thank him for his commitment, creativity and resourcefulness at the helm of UKTV.”
Tim Davie, CEO of BBC Studios, said: “Darren deserves our thanks for his many achievements in eight years as an excellent CEO of UKTV. His leadership of the company has created significant value for UKTV’s shareholders: overseeing a vibrant portfolio of channel brands, bringing in successful new commissions complementary to UKTV’s BBC content, and delivering consistently strong impacts and financial performance. He will leave UKTV in extremely good health, with a great team at all levels and he will take our very best wishes this summer for his own next move.”
Jon Creamer
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