Sky poaches BBC programming exec to head up comedy

UK pay TV operator BSkyB has poached BBC executive Lucy Lumsden, who will become its first ever head of comedy programming. Lumsden will supervise comedy programming across Sky’s in-house channels Sky1, 2 and 3.

In her role as controller of comedy commissioning at UK public broadcaster the BBC, Lumsden has been responsible for hit shows including Gavin and Stacey and The Catherine Tate Show. She will step into the new role this fall.

The appointment was made by Sky’s director of programming Stuart Murphy.

“In everything we do we need to be the best, and Lucy is simply the best commissioner in the comedy business,” Murphy said. “Comedy takes time to get right, and it’s an art not a science, but with Lucy at the helm it feels like we are giving ourselves the best chance of generating hits which our subscribers will love.”