Tom McDonald


Tom McDonald appointed director of factual for BBC Studios Production

BBC Studios Production has tapped long-time specialist factual commissioner Tom McDonald as director of factual. McDonald, who most recently served as head of natural history and specialist factual commissioning since 2016, will be responsible for the overall factual strategy and leading creative teams. He currently oversees all natural history, science, history and religion and ethics […]

UKTV, BBC and FMI partner on Backshall adventure series

UKTV has teamed up with the BBC and FremantleMedia International on a primetime adventure series that promises a series of world firsts. These include: the first descent of a white-water river in the Himalayas; trekking through unexplored jungle in South America; and climbing mountains in the deserts of the Middle East. The series, Expedition with […]

BBC Two plots Harvey Weinstein doc

Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein is to be the subject of a feature length doc from UK pubcaster BBC Two. Weinstein (WT) will look at the rise and fall of the producer, whose career is in tatters after multiple allegations of rape, sexual assault and other bizarre sexual practices. The doc will run to 90 […]

BBC rejigs factual unit under McDonald

UK pubcaster the BBC has restructured its specialist factual and natural history units team, handing execs new roles and creating new positions. Tom McDonald will remain at the helm of the natural history and specialist factual departments, but now as overall strategy for television and digital. His post covers natural history, science, religion and ethics […]

BBC Studios debuts Auntie Productions

The BBC’s programme-making arm, BBC Studios, has unveiled new division Auntie Productions, which launches with a pair of BBC Two commissions. BBC Studios creative directors Samantha Anstiss and Sam Bickley are leading Auntie – whose title is a homage to an informal and affectionate name for Britain’s public broadcaster. They have hired former Endemol Shine […]

BBC Two taps 7 Wonder for consumer format

UK pubcaster BBC Two has commissioned a multi-strand, family-friendly consumer-focused series from Seven Network venture 7 Wonder. Don’t Buy That, Buy This? (WT) marks the first time 7 Wonder has secured a series with BBC Two. Presenter Cherry Healey will front the 6x30mins show, which will combine “rigorous journalism with a healthy sense of mischief”. […]

Discovery’s Betty gets BBC Animal Movers commission

Discovery-owned UK prodco Betty has won a commission from the BBC for The Animal Movers. The two-part factual show will follow expert animal handlers as they move rare, dangerous and difficult to handle animals around the world. Examples include a hippo moving from the UK to France and a dozen penguins being relocated from New […]