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28 June 2013
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Women detectives at work and play
Moore to reinvent BBC1 factual Flagship channel’s factual offering will be a key priority for new controller, says Danny Cohen Factual is ripe for the next turn of the wheel, particularly at 8pm
BY LISA CAMPBELL
Charlotte Moore’s appointment as BBC1 controller signals the start of a reinvention of factual on the channel, according to director of television Danny Cohen. Cohen confirmed Broadcast’s exclusive this week that Moore had landed the job. He said her ability to stretch her documentary remit across a broad portfolio of programmes had helped her secure one of the most important roles in the TV industry. Her commissions range from factual series The Great British Bake Off and Inside Claridge’s to landmark shows such as Our War and high-end singles including Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die. Cohen described Moore as “an outstanding candidate”, adding that she has “an extremely good reputation as someone who collaborates well with indies and in-house. She champions docs and allows those around her to improve on that range and do very different things”. Cohen, who as BBC1 controller introduced shows such as The Voice UK and Last Tango In Halifax, had wanted to inject more factual into peak time, something he is keen for Moore to continue. “Factual on BBC1 is ripe for reinvention and the next turn of the wheel,” he stated. “The channel will always be driven by drama and entertainment, but there is room for reinvention, particularly in the 8pm to 9pm slot.” Moore has been acting BBC1 controller for two months following Cohen’s appointment as director of television in April. Cohen
Danny Cohen, BBC
Moore: becomes BBC1 controller after holding acting role for two months
MOORE’S CAREER ■ Charlotte Moore has commissioned documentaries at the BBC since 2006. She took over running the genre in 2009. ■ She was previously director of contemporary factual at IWC, responsible for the likes of Stephen Fry: Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive (BBC2). ■ Before that, she was a freelance series producer/director, with credits including C4’s Lagos Airport (2000).
said she had been working well alongside key genre heads Ben Stephenson in drama and Mark Linsey in entertainment. Both were contenders for the role, although Stephenson pulled out before the interview stage. Linsey made it to the final round, but was informed last week that he had been unsuccessful. It is not known which other candidates applied. Moore, who takes up the position with immediate effect, commented: “BBC1 has a unique role to play in this country. I’m incredibly excited by Danny’s vision for
BBC television and what the future holds in the digital age.” Appointed in 2006 as commissioning executive for documentaries, Moore has worked across all four main BBC channels. She spent the first part of this year as acting controller of daytime before taking up the acting BBC1 controller post in May. Prior to joining the BBC, she was director of contemporary factual at IWC Media. Many in the doc-making community welcomed her appointment. “Charlotte has a lot of experience: she’s worked at indies, she knows how the BBC works and she’s got really good instincts for docs and is prepared to back film-makers in the riskiest situations,” said Century Films director Brian Hill. “She’ll have ideas about how to broaden their appeal, but be smart enough to get the balance right.” However, there were concerns from some within the entertainment community, with one senior exec saying: “You don’t build a popular channel out of factual. The jury’s out on how well she’ll lead entertainment and deal with talent. There’s also a question of how hands-off Danny will be.” Moore’s total remuneration goes from £174,800 to £240,000, some £30,000 less than Cohen earned in the role.