Ian Katz to Leave After Nearly Nine Years
Ian Katz, ’s chief content officer responsible for overseeing the broadcaster’s £650 million annual programming budget and output, is set to leave his role after almost nine years. Katz, who previously held senior positions at and the BBC, has been a pivotal figure in ’s programming leadership since January 2018.
Katz joined as director of programmes in January 2018 after serving as editor of BBC’s Newsnight. He was promoted to chief content officer in January 2021 and will depart in October, making him the longest-serving head of programming in the channel’s history.
His exit follows the appointment of Priya Dogra as ’s new chief executive, who took up the role last month after joining from Sky. Katz is among several senior executives to leave the broadcaster recently, including Jonathan Allan, who served as interim chief executive earlier this year.
According to ’s 2024 accounts, Katz’s remuneration was £720,000, which included a £238,000 bonus. He played a significant role in the team that successfully resisted the previous Conservative government’s attempt to privatise .
“It’s been a privilege beyond words to lead ’s talented and passionate commissioning team through such a transformative period,” Katz said.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, from pioneering the evolution of a commercial public service broadcaster into a digital streaming business, to backing groundbreaking programmes and talent that have brought a bit of joy to audience’s lives.”
Management Changes and Opportunities
Katz’s departure creates a notable gap in ’s senior management, with two of the three most senior executive roles now effectively vacant. This transition opens an opportunity for a key leadership position within British broadcasting.
Priya Dogra praised Katz’s contributions, stating:
“Ian has been an outstanding creative leader for over nearly nine years – the channel’s longest-serving head of programming. He has overseen an era of creative renewal, delivering bold and distinctive public service programming with intellectual rigour, good humour and an unmistakably glint in the eye.”
Programming Highlights and Criticism
During his tenure, Katz commissioned several successful shows including the comedies Derry Girls and Big Boys, the dramas It’s A Sin and Dirty Business, the music competition The Piano, and the panel game Taskmaster, which acquired following its success on rival channel Dave.
However, some critics argue that continues to rely heavily on established programmes commissioned before Katz’s arrival, such as Gogglebox, Grand Designs, and Great British Bake Off. The latter was recently refreshed under Katz’s leadership to replace Prue Leith as a judge.
Attempts to develop new major ratings successes have been less fruitful, with reality TV shows like The Circle and Rise and Fall failing to generate significant returns.
Challenges in 2023 and Industry Impact
In 2023, Katz was the only top executive to remain at during a turbulent year that included the broadcaster reporting losses, a £50 million cut to its content budget, and significant impacts on the independent television production sector.
’s chief executive at the time, Alex Mahon, noted the importance of Katz’s decision to stay, highlighting his close relationship with the independent production community, which involves collaboration with hundreds of production companies annually.
Addressing the independent production sector on Thursday, Katz reflected on his role and the challenges ahead:
“Running ’s programming team might well be the best job in the world and a tough one to leave.”
“The channel faces numerous challenges but, in a world of consolidation, risk-averse decision making and increasingly homogenised programming, the need for an independent, irreverent, iconoclastic, is greater than ever.”
“We’ve done it working with indies across the country, helping to break London’s decades-long chokehold on our industry.”
Background and Early Career
Katz, formerly deputy editor of , joined BBC’s Newsnight in 2013 during a crisis period following a controversial report that wrongly implicated Lord McAlpine in child abuse allegations. His career has been marked by a commitment to editorial rigor and innovation in public service broadcasting.
