Five Announces New Director Of Programmes

Jay Hunt, the BBC’s controller of daytime and early peak, has been announced as Five’s new director of programmes.

Hunt will take up her new post overseeing programming for the broadcaster’s core channel later this year.

Lisa Opie, Five’s managing director, content, said: “I am thrilled we have been able to appoint an executive as creative, dynamic and energetic as Jay.

“Her record of success at the BBC speaks for itself and I’m excited that one of the most astute operators in the business is becoming part of the Five team.”

Hunt said: “I’m delighted to have been given this tremendous opportunity. The prospect of building on Five’s existing successful programming and taking the channel to the next phase of its development is irresistible.”

Hunt joined the BBC as a researcher on Breakfast News in 1989. She went on to work for Newsnight and Panorama as an output editor and senior producer. She then became editor of the One O’Clock News before moving to the editor’s chair at the Six O’Clock News in April 2001, where she later oversaw the programme’s relaunch.

She moved into daytime at the end of 2003, first as an executive producer in Birmingham, then as a senior commissioning executive before becoming controller of daytime in May 2005, adding early peak to her responsibilities in March 2007.

As controller of daytime and early peak at the Corporation, Hunt has commissioned hit series such as the RTS award winning Through Hell and High Water, Wanted Down Under, Animal 24/7, Great British Menu, Extreme Dreams and Masterchef Goes Large.

Last week, Five announced that it has acquired the rights to Californication, a new comedy drama series starring David Duchovny (see Five Gets New Duchovny Comedy), and has also added a new primetime TV quiz programme to its weeknight schedule.

Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv