Mitz takes charge of US shows on ITV

Rick Mitz has joined ITV's acquisitions team as senior vice president of American programming for ITV channels.

Mitz, based in Los Angeles, moves to Jay Kandola's acquisitions unit from Channel 4 where he has been US consultant for the last 13 years - a role for which he was hired by Michael Grade. During his tenure at Channel 4, the channel picked up shows ranging from ER to Lost.

"I am very excited about the challenge of helping ITV enhance their current crop of American programmes and to help increase their American profile both in the US and the UK," said Mitz. "I've been very happy at Channel 4, where I have been working since the 'pioneer days' when the Channel had very few American programmes, and it's been exciting to help Channel 4 grow. Now I hope to do the same for ITV.

"I worked with Jay Kandola when she was head of series television at Channel 4, and we developed a very good shorthand together, so although this will be a new adventure for me, I'm working with a familiar cast of characters. When Michael Grade also arrived at ITV I couldn't say no."

Simon Shaps, ITV's director of television, said that "acquired programming plays an increasingly important role across ITV's family of channels" and added that Mitz "knows what makes a quality programme."