BBC Two Chooses Keating To Replace Root As Controller
BBC Two has today significantly beefed-up its cultural credentials by announcing the appointment of Roly Keating as its new controller in an attempt to rediscover its highbrow roots.
Keating is credited with launching the new digital channel BBC Four as ‘a place to think’ and has since earned himself a reputation as a champion of serious-minded arts and culture programmes.
His appointment looks set to be welcomed by the BBC’s commercial rivals, which have criticised the Corporation’s flagship arts and documentaries channel for becoming too reliant on lifestyle and makeover shows (see IPA Report Deplores Aggressive And Commercial BBC).
Commenting on the appointment, BBC director of television, Jana Bennett, said: “BBC Two is a unique force in British broadcasting and in British life. It’s a channel where different and specialist passions can come together, where growing new comedy can sit comfortably with landmark factual series and innovative drama.”
“But it is also a channel which has to operate in a very busy market and I can’t think of anyone who could more brilliantly articulate why BBC TWO has a special place at the heart of our national life than Roly Keating”, she added.
It is understood that Keating has been the front runner for the job since Jane Root, who has held the position for the last five years, announced she was leaving to take a newly created role at Discovery Networks in the US (see BBC Confirms Root To Depart On Voyage Of Discovery).
Keating said: BBC Two is the channel of record for British culture and being asked to take leadership of it is a huge honour, and frankly a bit daunting. But I’m also incredibly excited: it’s a channel I’ve grown up with, and like millions of other people it’s given me some of my most memorable viewing experiences.”
The new controller joins at positive time for the channel, which has enjoyed a number of ratings successes over recent years such as The Office, The Weakest Link and What Not To Wear. However, Keating will face the difficult task of filling the gap left the The Simpsons, when it moves to Channel 4 later this year.
The BBC received a blow last month when ITV poached veteran chat show host Michael Parkinson in a move that brings an end to Corporation’s thirty-three year relationship with one of its biggest and most prolific stars (see BBC Loses Parkinson To ITV After More Than 30 Years).
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk
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