Some of the BBC’s biggest shows and events will fall under a newly formed UK Entertainment Unit at BBC Studios.
The BBC’s commercial arm said that the move would allow for a “more focused pipeline to take shows from development to production to international format sales more efficiently.”
The formation of the Unit follows the merging of BBC Studios’ Entertainment & Music and Factual Entertainment & Events operations.
It will be Suzy Lamb, the former Managing Director of the Entertainment & Music Unit, who’ll head up the new team. In her current role, Lamb oversees shows including Glastonbury, Later with Jools Holland, Comic Relief and Children in Need.
“I’m very much looking forward to leading the new UK Entertainment unit. With a thriving slate already in place and lots of new formats coming through the pipeline it really is an exciting time for BBC Studios,” she said.
UK Entertainment is part of the Global Entertainment business, which is led by Matt Forde.
“The Global Entertainment market continues to evolve at pace and the new UK Entertainment unit will be the centrepiece of our Global Entertainment division, driving growth as well as building on the incredible success of its existing titles. I’m excited to see what they will go on to create and deliver under Suzy’s leadership,” said Forde.
The teams have previously delivered coverage of The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Eurovision 2023, Platinum Party at the Palace, King Charles III Coronation and The Coronation Concert as well as last month’s D-Day 80 events.
It will also produce coverage from Glastonbury, as well as Strictly Come Dancing, The Weakest Link, Later with Jools Holland, The One Show, Morning Live, Antiques Roadshow and Gardeners World.
New titles currently underway include Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend and Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping.
Reporting into Lamb will be new Director of Production for UK Entertainment, Katie Brewer, who was previously Director of Production for Factual Entertainment & Events working on titles and events such as Dragons’ Den, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III Coronation and The Coronation Concert.
