BBC’s Gale Poised To Join Five

Ben Gale, the current BBC commissioner for features and factual entertainment, is said to be moving to Five as the channel’s new director of programmes.

The position became available after incumbent director of programmes Jay Hunt agreed to become the new controller of BBC One just months after joining Five (see Jay Hunt Appointed BBC One Controller).

Gale was an early favourite for the role because of his background in features and factual entertainment, genres which form the majority of Five’s schedule.

His credits include The Baby Borrowers, The Real Hustle and Spendaholics.

Prior to joining the BBC, Gale was at Wall to Wall where he was series editor on genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?

He also spent five years at Lion TV making factual entertainment series for US networks.

Hunt has continued to have an active role at Five for the past four months despite handing in her notice in December.

It is understood Gale’s appointment could hasten Hunt’s move to the BBC.

Hunt replaces Peter Fincham, who resigned following the Wyatt Report into the ‘Crowngate’ affair (see Fincham Quits Following Queen Doco Shocker) and who was announced as the new ITV director of television last month, taking over from Simon Shaps (see Fincham To Replace Shaps At ITV).

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