BBC Studios appoints C4’s Ralph Lee as content director

BBC Studios has appointed Channel 4’ s creative officer Ralph Lee as director of content.

In the newly created role, Lee will have overall control of BBC Studios Production’s creative strategy in the UK. He will take up the new role, which reports to CEO Tim Davie, in October, and will sit on BBC Studios’ executive committee.

Lee’s principal responsibilities will span BBC Studios Production’s UK editorial strategy, working closely with its creative leadership on new idea generation and the building of its development slate; and taking overall responsibility for production management.

Genre managing directors for factual, scripted, factual entertainment and events, and entertainment and music will now report to Lee.

Lee will also work closely alongside Anna Mallett, managing director of production, who will have overall accountability for BBC Studios Production’s operations and P&L, as well as international production and formats.

The news follows Mark Linsey’s recent remit change, which now sees him overlook all of BBC Studios’ IP generating activities.

Lee brings 25 years’ experience in the UK’s television sector to BBC Studios. Most recently he has been Interim chief creative officer at Channel 4, having previously served as deputy chief creative officer from 2014 to 2017, with editorial leadership of All 4.

Davie said: “We are delighted to welcome Ralph to BBC Studios.  His passion for programmes that are intelligent, unexpected and entertaining is plain to see – and he brings a proven ability to understand what audiences want, and to partner with creatives to deliver it.”

Lee added: “I am thrilled to be joining BBC Studios at such a key point in its journey, off the back of its commercial debut and recent merger.  With depth and richness across multiple genres, BBC Studios already has fantastic creative credentials, and I am looking forward to working with everyone there to realise our future ambitions and take our output from strength to strength.”