Mike Beale swaps NBC Universal for ITV Studios role

Mike Beale is leaving NBC Universal to take a formats role at ITV Studios, the production and distribution arm of the UK free-to-air broadcaster.

Beale will take the newly-created role of director of international formats at ITV Studios. He was at ITV prior to joining NBCU last February, having sold his production company 12 Yard to the UK broadcaster for £26 million in 2007.

Prior to his previous stint at ITV, he was at the BBC and it was with a group of ex-BBC colleagues that he set up 12 Yard, with funding from UK indie Hat Trick.

At ITV he will oversee the management of formats in international markets.

Beale said: “I’m looking forward to working with the creative teams in the UK and internationally and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, to support the distribution of original global formats to broadcasters around the world.”

Kevin Lygo, managing director, ITV Studios said “There’s a clear need for a dedicated international formats expert to ensure we exploit promising new ideas to their full potential. As [ITV CEO] Adam [Crozier] set-out in ITV’s Transformation Plan it’s crucial we use local success as a springboard for international growth; we’re looking forward to working with Mike to support our international teams in achieving this.”