Hot 100 2012 COMMISSIONERS


ITV4’s sport strategy is deliver- ing, and ITV3 remains a consist- ent performer.


1 Stuart Murphy


Director of entertainment channels, Sky


In previous years, it would have been unthinkable to make the case for a Sky commissioner as the most powerful in their field. How times change. Stuart Murphy was already a force to be reckoned with back when he was BBC3 controller, thanks to a slate headed by Gavin And Stacey. Now he’s taking on all- comers at Sky, with massive comedy orders for Sky 1, Sky Atlantic documentaries from the likes of Nick Broomfield, and everyone from Tom Jones to Jon Hamm invited to appear in Sky Arts’ Playhouse Presents. He has presided over four of Sky 1’s top 10 shows and grown the channel’s share by 28%. By 2014, Sky will outspend Channel 4 and Channel 5, with Murphy holding the purse strings. Not for nothing has Hat Trick’s Jimmy Mulville likened Sky’s content push to the launch of C4 30 years ago. Under Murphy, Sky is a bonanza for indies.


4 Laura Mackie


Director of drama, ITV


Trollied


new suppliers and find the most topical and ground-breaking ideas. Her influence on the sched- ule is only starting to trickle out, but distinctive programmes such as Make Bradford British, The Undateables and Black Mirror indicate the direction in which C4 is travelling. Her focus has been on core parts of the schedule and she hasn’t been afraid to highlight challenges for the channel, such as Friday night entertainment and the lack of contingency planning following the departure of Big Brother. With her hands-on style and direct feedback, C4’s output is shaped by her attention to the smallest detail.


ITV’s confident programming strategy has taken shape. The schedule is built around the central pillars of drama and entertainment. Though new hits may be hard to come by in the latter, The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent remain unmatched despite appearing to be on the decline. Fincham is keen to extol ITV’s PSB virtues, sprinkling the schedule with stand-out factual hits and brand- enhancing arts strand Perspectives. ITV’s digital channels are also in rude health: ITV2 is riding high on the back of The Only Way Is Essex and Celebrity Juice,


ITV drama is enjoying one of the most confident and fruitful spells in its history under the direction of Laura Mackie. The former BBC commissioner has stuck to a clear vision, steering ITV’s drama unit through a difficult period of cost- cutting during the recession, and introducing creative renewal by axing stalwarts such as The Bill and Taggart. Last year, ITV broadcast eight of the top 10 new drama launches, with success coming in the shape of super- natural thriller Marchlands as well as crime vehicles Scott & Bailey and Vera. Mackie can also boast the commission of Downton Abbey – a move initially consid- ered a creative risk, but which gave rise to a global hit. She is well respected among the drama community and, together with drama controller Sally Haynes, is already looking ahead to 2014.


2 Jay Hunt


Head of programmes, Channel 4


Just over a year into the job and Hunt’s influence, both on and off screen, is pervasive. As well as undertaking a regional indie roadtrip, she has brought in a swathe of new commissioners, tasking them to work with


6 | Broadcast | Hot 100 3 Peter Fincham Director of television, ITV


Peter Fincham may claim to have one of the best commissioning teams in the business, but it is under his watchful guidance that


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