XYZ hires ex-Zodiak and C4 exec for lifestyle push

Australian pay TV channels group XYZ Networks has poached former Zodiak features exec and Channel 4 commissioner Emma Westcott.

She is relocating from the UK to Australia to take the newly created role of head of commissioning for lifestyle channels at XYZ.

The channel operator’s portfolio of lifestyle channels currently stretches to The LifeStyle Channel, LifeStyle FOOD, LifeStyle YOU with a new channel, Lifestyle HOME, launching next year.

Westcott was previously head of features for Zodiak Group-backed UK producer Diverse.

Prior to that she was commissioning editor at UK free-to-air broadcaster Channel 4, commissioning shows including You Are What You Eat, 10 Years Younger and Relocation, Relocation.

She has executive produced lifestyle shows including How to Look Good Naked and Grand Designs.

In her new role Westcott will report to Nicole Sheffield, XYZ’s general manager.

“We have an enormous commitment to local productions for the LifeStyle Channels and earlier this year we moved to a commissioning structure to ensure that we secured and managed the best formats for LifeStyle,” Sheffield said. “I’m excited by the next phase of our growth and know that having Emma in this role puts us in a fantastic position for some outstanding Australian productions.”