Lygo leaves Channel 4 for ITV Studios

Kevin Lygo, director of television and content at Channel 4, is leaving the UK free-to-air broadcaster to become managing director of ITV’s production unit ITV Studios.

ITV said that Lee Bartlett, who currently runs the division having joined from Fox in 2008, will remain an ‘integral part of the team’ and continue to oversee ITV Studio’s international operations.

Lygo announced his departure from Channel 4 as the commercial broadcaster prepares to welcome a new CEO, David Abrahams.

Lygo has served two stints at Channel, between 1997 and 2001 and from 2003. In between he was director of programmes at RTL-backed commercial broadcaster Five.

ITV’s new chairman Archie Norman has spoken about renewed investment in the company’s production business and in-house produced content.

“Kevin’s appointment underlines our commitment to  ensuring home-grown content stays at the heart of our business and our focus on attracting the very best creative talent, both on and off-screen, to ITV,” said ITV’s new CEO Adam Crozier.

He added: “His track record in finding hit programmes and exploiting content will be invaluable as ITV focuses on improving its hit rate across all platforms – television, online and mobile.”