Sky has appointed Poppy Dixon to the newly created role of Director of Documentaries and Factual Commissioning, where she will be responsible for original documentaries and factual programmes across Sky’s services.
The appointment comes as Sky prepares to launch two brand-new factual channels, Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature, along with Sky HISTORY, a co-branded venture between Sky and A+E Networks previously known as HISTORY. All channels will launch on 27 May 2020.
Dixon will be responsible for commissioning original features and multi-part series for Sky Documentaries, a limited number of landmark original natural history series for Sky Nature and premium true crime original series for Sky Crime. She will also oversee the expansion of original series for Sky HISTORY.
Alongside original series, Dixon will also be responsible for overseeing co-production titles across all of Sky’s factual channels. In her new role, Dixon will work on the future direction of the factual services with Managing Director of Content Zai Bennett and Director of Programme Strategy Jamie Morris.
Dixon has worked in TV and film for over 15 years starting out in factual entertainment before moving into documentaries in 2008. She spent more than seven years at Raw, based both in the UK and in the United States, where her accolades in development and as a producer include, Bart Layton’s BAFTA-winning feature, The Imposter and acclaimed hybrid movie American Animals, as well as BAFTA-nominated Three Identical Strangers. During her time at Lightbox, Dixon produced Ursula Macfarlane’s Untouchable, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content commented: “Poppy brings a wealth of experience in producing quality factual programmes and documentaries and she knows exactly what makes a gripping documentary. She is the perfect fit to help us build a world class slate of original factual shows for our customers.”
Since early 2019, Dixon has been Development Executive at Arrow Pictures. She is also currently producing a feature documentary with Met Film, directed by Sam Hobkinson, which will be completed in early 2021.
Dixon added: “When I first heard about the launch of Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature, I was immediately thrilled for the industry to have these new platforms on which to showcase their work. Of course, I’m now doubly thrilled to be given the opportunity to help shape the direction of these new channels. I can’t wait to get started with Zai and the team at Sky, as well as with filmmakers and producers, to create a slate of compelling, must-see documentaries.”
Jon Creamer
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