RTÉ hires international formats boss

The international and commercial arm of Irish public broadcaster RTÉ has hired Janet Frawley as its head of formats.

Frawley has been a producer with RTÉ for the past six years and in her new role is tasked with increasing the volume of formats in RTÉ Global’s catalogue.

She will also oversee and develop RTÉ’s Formats Farm, the formats incubator that sees new format ideas tested on air.

Frawley said: “RTÉ’s Format Farm is about developing, co-financing and broadcasting brilliant ideas. From paper to pilot, this initiative gives support to the production of original TV formats for both Irish and international audiences.”

Michelle Spillane, director of RTÉ Global, added: “RTÉ Global has seen rapid growth in recent years, since the creation of Format Farm. We are delighted to have Janet as part of the l team. She brings enormous experience and knowledge to the role at a time when we are expanding our format portfolio.”

RTÉ Global will launch a slate of new formats and finished shows at MIPCOM.