McHugh Departs Channel 4 Ahead Of Lygo’s Arrival
Channel 4’s head of entertainment, John McHugh, has become the latest senior executive to leave the station before Kevin Lygo takes up his position as director of television next month.
McHugh’s departure comes just weeks after head of Channel 4’s entertainment group and controller of E4, Danielle Lux, stepped down following a change in the broadcaster’s entertainment commissioning structure (see Channel 4 Loses Head Of Entertainment Following Shake-Up).
Kevin Lygo plans to resume direct management control of all the commissioning teams that reported to Lux, when he replaces outgoing director of television Tim Gardam next month.
During his time at Channel 4 McHugh has been responsible for commissioning a number of successful shows, including Without Prejudice, My New Best Friend and Bedsitcom.
Channel 4 has not officially confirmed a replacement for McHugh, but Andrew Newman, head of entertainment at rival terrestrial broadcaster Five, has been linked with the job.
Commenting on his departure, McHugh said: “Although there is a production dimension to a commissioner’s job I felt more and more keen to get back into the thick of programme making. I have had a rewarding time at Channel 4 over the past year and a half but feel the time is right to move on.”
Tim Gardam added: “John has made a great contribution to our entertainment output, and has commissioned some wonderfully inventive new entertainment formats. He has been an extremely valued member of the commissioning team and we wish him all the best.”
Prior to joining Channel 4 at the beginning of last year, McHugh was acting head of entertainment commissioning at the BBC. His achievements at the BBC included Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression and The Kumars at Number 42.
Channel 4 recently appointed Michael Hodgson as its new head of corporate development, with responsibility for forging business relationships with third parties. Hodgson, formerly investment director of the media team at venture capitalist firm, 3i, will took up his new post at the end of last month (see Channel 4 Appoints New Head Of Corporate Development).
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.co.uk
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