Channel 4 unveils new commissioning leadership
The changes will take effect later this year following the departure of Chief Content Officer Ian Katz.
Channel 4 has introduced a new leadership structure for its commissioning team, creating three director roles that will report directly to Chief Executive Priya Dogra. The changes will take effect later this year following the departure of Chief Content Officer Ian Katz.
Louisa Compton and Kiran Nataraja have been appointed to two of the new positions, while recruitment is underway for a Director of Programmes. The broadcaster said the structure is intended to provide clearer leadership across commissioning, editorial strategy and content operations.
Three directors to lead commissioning
Louisa Compton, currently Head of News & Current Affairs, Specialist Factual & Sport, will become Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust. She will oversee news, current affairs, specialist factual, sport and digital-first commissioning.
Kiran Nataraja, currently Director of Streaming & Content Strategy, has been appointed Director of Content Strategy. The role will oversee content commissioning, funding and delivery while retaining responsibility for portfolio planning across Channel 4's linear channels and streaming platform, as well as acquisitions. The Director of Programmes, who is yet to be appointed, will lead commissioning and editorial strategy across scripted and unscripted programming, including documentaries, entertainment, factual entertainment and lifestyle.
Structure aims to streamline commissioning
Under the new model, the Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust and the Director of Programmes will have editorial responsibility for their respective portfolios, while the Director of Content Strategy will oversee the operational and commercial performance of the commissioning function.
Channel 4 said the changes are designed to provide independent producers with clearer commissioning priorities, faster decision-making and a more integrated process from development through to delivery. The new structure also reinforces the broadcaster's focus on trusted journalism and digital-first content.
Leadership changes follow Ian Katz departure
Priya Dogra, Chief Executive, Channel 4: “Independent producers are at the heart of Channel 4, and this new model is about giving them greater clarity and building deeper partnerships in how we work together. With incredibly strong creative leadership and clear accountability across our portfolios, we can back the best ideas with confidence and deliver distinctive programmes that cut through. Both Louisa and Kiran are outstanding leaders and well respected for their craft, and I’m confident that they – alongside the Director of Programmes – will make sure Channel 4 programming remains as distinctive, as relevant and as rebellious as ever, wherever and however our audiences watch.”
Louisa Compton: "Trusted, fact-checked and duly impartial journalism has never mattered more. Channel 4 has a unique role in telling stories others don't, asking difficult questions and bringing new perspectives to audiences across the UK. This new structure gives us the focus and agility to move faster, back ambitious ideas and create even greater impact across our amazing portfolio of content. I am delighted to be working with the Digital team and to continue to work with the Specialist Factual and Sport teams.”
Kiran Nataraja: “In today's market, success depends not just on great ideas, but on how effectively you deliver them. This role is about connecting the entire system, so that from commissioning through to performance, we’re backing the right ideas in the right way and giving them the best chance to succeed.”
Ian Katz will leave Channel 4 in November after almost nine years as Chief Content Officer, concluding the longest tenure in the broadcaster's history for the role.
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