The BBC on Tuesday named Mark Linsey, acting director of television, director of its BBC Studios production arm, while Charlotte Moore was named interim head of television.
BBC Studios is set to become a commercial company at the end of April. Linsey will be in charge of all the BBC’s in-house content production, including of such hit shows as Doctor Who and Top Gear.
Moore will now oversee all of the BBC’s TV output after earlier this year being promoted to the role of controller, TV channels and iPlayer as part of a reorganization that the U.K. public broadcaster said would offer “a simplified and more coordinated strategy across BBC Television’s channel portfolio.”
The BBC, led by director general Tony Hall, said it would soon unveil a further re-jigging of leadership roles. “Moore will be responsible for BBC television pending the announcement in the next few weeks of a new structure to simplify the BBC,” it said.
Some reports have said the public broadcaster may end its divisions into radio and TV programming teams and instead focus on a genre-based structure, with such genres as news, sports and entertainment.
“Mark Linsey is an exceptional program maker and a first-class leader who makes things happen and gets the very best out of those who work around him,” said Hall. “That combination is vital if the BBC is to continue with the phenomenal run of critical and audience success we are seeing with our program making. We are on a high, and Mark is the right person to build on that success. He’s a real talent and the perfect choice for this role.”
Moore recently outlined her vision for her role overseeing all BBC TV channels by unveiling a slew of new commissions, including King Lear, starring Anthony Hopkins; a documentary about Whitney Houston; and a TV version of a play that sees Prince Charles ascending to the British throne.
“I’m making a commitment to you all tonight that we’re going to be open, collaborative and agile,” Moore promised at the time. “A simpler, coordinated approach to commissioning decisions will deliver more creative opportunities, a greater diversity of distinctive, groundbreaking programs and — crucially — quicker decision-making for all.”
Linsey’s appointment comes after Peter Salmon left his role running BBC Studios to become Endemol Shine’s global creative chief.
Linsey has been acting director of television since the fall. Previously he served as controller, entertainment commissioning at the BBC since February 2009 and deputy director of television since 2013. He previously also worked at production firm Tiger Aspect.
