TV
Nigel Pickard, current controller of CBBC, is to be ITV's new director of programmes, it has been announced.
The 50-year-old, who has recently helped launch the Corporation's CBBC and CBeebies channels, will replace David Liddiment at the end of the year.
Mick Desmond, joint MD of ITV, said: "Nigel is a great appointment for ITV. He has a wealth of experience in commercial broadcasting plus a successful track record in both children’s and multi-channel television, two of the most competitive areas of the business."
Pickard, married with three children, said that he saw the new role as an "exciting opportunity."
"This is an extremely exciting time for ITV and one which offers enormous opportunities for the future," he said. "I have enjoyed my time at the BBC immensely but the chance to return to ITV when the corporate focus is so clearly back on the core channel business is something I just couldn’t turn down. I look forward to taking up the challenge of maintaining ITV’s unique position in the UK market and to developing the strength of its channel portfolio."
The 50-year-old, who has recently helped launch the Corporation's CBBC and CBeebies channels, will replace David Liddiment at the end of the year.
Mick Desmond, joint MD of ITV, said: "Nigel is a great appointment for ITV. He has a wealth of experience in commercial broadcasting plus a successful track record in both children’s and multi-channel television, two of the most competitive areas of the business."
Pickard, married with three children, said that he saw the new role as an "exciting opportunity."
"This is an extremely exciting time for ITV and one which offers enormous opportunities for the future," he said. "I have enjoyed my time at the BBC immensely but the chance to return to ITV when the corporate focus is so clearly back on the core channel business is something I just couldn’t turn down. I look forward to taking up the challenge of maintaining ITV’s unique position in the UK market and to developing the strength of its channel portfolio."
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