TV
BBC Director of Television, Jana Bennett, today announced the appointment of Roly Keating as the new controller of BBC Two.
Keating will move from his current role as BBC Four controller to his new job at BBC Two in June.
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.
"He has an obsessive commitment to talent, on and off screen, and combines showmanship with energy and curiosity.
"He was one of the pioneers of multi-channel television and has demonstrated his fully rounded understanding of what makes a channel work in growing BBC FOUR from scratch to the very good channel it is today.
"He can spot things which tell us about the world now, and so fits perfectly with BBC TWO's ambition to both reflect and predict the way we live."
Roly 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.
"Jane Root is leaving it in strong creative health, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of building on her formidable legacy."
Keating will move from his current role as BBC Four controller to his new job at BBC Two in June.
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.
"He has an obsessive commitment to talent, on and off screen, and combines showmanship with energy and curiosity.
"He was one of the pioneers of multi-channel television and has demonstrated his fully rounded understanding of what makes a channel work in growing BBC FOUR from scratch to the very good channel it is today.
"He can spot things which tell us about the world now, and so fits perfectly with BBC TWO's ambition to both reflect and predict the way we live."
Roly 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.
"Jane Root is leaving it in strong creative health, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of building on her formidable legacy."
More: TV
Tube Talk
'Nighty Night': Tube Talk GoldWe remember the BBC's dark comedy Nighty Night in this week's Tube Talk Gold.
TV Interviews
'The Bachelor's Emily O'Brien - interviewPhD student failed to get a rose at this week's Rose Ceremony in Belize.
Reality Bites
'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' returns: ReviewReality Bites's verdict on the return of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
TV Ratings
'Celebrity Juice' drops to 1.5m on ITV2Channel 5 rises to third place last night in a quiet night for television.
