Janice Hadlow out as BBC Two controller

Janice Hadlow has stepped down as controller of UK channels BBC Two and BBC Four.

Having run two of the public broadcaster’s channels, Hadlow will move into a newly created role as controller, special projects and seasons.

The BBC said that in that position Hadlow will develop “robust” returning formats for early evening television, ranging across a variety of genres, with a particular focus on factual and drama for BBC One, Two and Four.

Future projects include a range of programmes on popular music, a season focussing on women’s history and a collaboration between drama and factual genres to create a literary season in 2016, the pubcaster said.

The position will see her “develop and originate high impact cross-platform series, seasons and other major television events”. The BBC added that she will advise BBC director of television Danny Cohen on broadcast strategy.

He said: “Janice truly understands how to make the popular good and the good popular. Her intellectual and creative skills are formidable and I am very glad indeed that she has decided to stay with us in BBC Television in a new senior role.”

Hadlow said: “It has been an amazing privilege for me to run a channel that I have loved ever since I was old enough to appreciate great programmes. There’s nothing quite like BBC Two anywhere else in television, and, as it approaches its fiftieth birthday, I’m incredibly proud to have played a part in its distinguished, stimulating and always surprising history.”

Hadlow’s BBC Two credits include live series Lambing Live, Stargazing Live and Airport Live. She also commissioned Great British Bake Off, which scored stellar ratings and was subsequently poached by larger sibling BBC One.

She has been controller of BBC Two since 2008 and joint controller of BBC Two and BBC Four since 2013. Before that she was channel controller for BBC Four and prior to working at the BBC she was head of specialist factual at Channel 4.