Channel 4 today unveiled new leadership for its commissioning team, made up of three director positions reporting to the chief executive. Louise Compton and Kiran Nataraja, along with a third director who is yet to be hired, will jointly lead the commissioning team.
Channel 4’s stated aim is to “enable clearer commissioning priorities, faster and more transparent decision-making, and a more integrated path from development to delivery and performance.”
This structure will come into effect when Jan Katz leaves the channel later this year. The three new directors will report to Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra.
Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust
Louise Compton, currently Head of News and Current Affairs, Facts and Sports, will take on the role and will be responsible for a portfolio of genres including News, Current Affairs, Special Facts and Sports, and Digital Commissioning. Louise is an outstanding news executive, under whose leadership Channel 4’s news and current affairs team has won more awards than any other publication and delivered award-winning current affairs programmes. Her new role cements the place of high-quality journalism at the center of the channel, building on Channel 4’s exceptional track record of delivering trustworthy, insightful and bold news and current affairs.
Program Director
The role will be a key creative leader for Channel 4, shaping the channel’s vision for the future. A Program Director is currently being recruited and a date will be announced at a later date. This position will have overall commissioning and editorial responsibility for all other programming in scripted and unscripted genres including documentaries, entertainment, factual entertainment and lifestyle.
Director of Content Strategy
Kiran Nataraja, Director of Streaming and Content Strategy at Channel 4, will move into the role, reviewing how content is commissioned, financed and delivered, while acting as the commercial backbone of the content function. Portfolio planning (across channels and streaming) and acquisitions remain under Nataraja’s purview. Nataraja is one of the most respected content strategists in the industry, playing a key role in driving streaming growth as well as cost efficiencies across the portfolio, while helping to maintain Channel 4’s unique voice.
The Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust and the Director of Programs will have end-to-end editorial ownership of their areas, defining the overall vision from a creative, editorial and brand perspective. They will be responsible for overall strategy, talent development and ensuring the availability of paid content designed to deliver Channel 4’s mission and audience priorities.
At the same time, the Director of Content Strategy will ensure that the commissioning system operates in a clear and disciplined manner and ensures overall productivity.
Priya Dogra, Channel 4 CEO, said: “Independent producers are at the heart of Channel 4 and this new model is designed to give them greater clarity and build deeper partnerships in the way we work together. With incredibly strong creative leadership and clear accountability across our portfolios, we can confidently support the best ideas and create unique programs that will succeed. Both Louise and Kieran are outstanding leaders and are well respected for their craft and I am confident they are in this together.” with the Programming Director – will ensure that Channel 4’s programming remains as distinctive as ever, as relevant and as rebellious as ever, wherever and however our audience watches.”
Louise Compton said: “Trusted, fact-checked and properly impartial journalism has never been more important. Channel 4 plays a unique role in telling stories others don’t, asking tough questions and bringing new perspectives to audiences across the UK. This new structure gives us the opportunity to move faster, support ambitious ideas and have an even greater impact on our incredible portfolio of content. I’m thrilled to be working with the Digital team and to continue working with the factual and sport teams.”
Kiran Nataraja said: “In today’s market, success is not just about great ideas, but how effectively you execute them. This role is about bringing the whole system together so that, from commissioning to performance, we are properly supporting the right ideas and giving them the best chance of success.”
Ian Katz, Channel 4’s outgoing chief content officer, will leave the company in November after nearly nine years leading the broadcaster’s content strategy. Katz is Channel 4’s longest-serving content chief in history.
Pippa Considine
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