Crozier raids Channel 4 for new ITV programmes boss
He only got his feet under the top desk at ITV on Monday, but already ITV boss Adam Crozier has got the man he wanted to lead ITV's programme making strategy forward.
It had been reported that Lygo was in talks with senior executives at ITV with the remit to join as managing director of ITV Studios and to focus on creating more successful programming formats.
Speaking of his first senior hire since starting his job on Monday Crozier said: “Kevin’s appointment underlines our commitment to ensuring home-grown content stays at the heart of our business and our focus on attracting the very best creative talent, both on and off-screen, to ITV. His track record in finding hit programmes and exploiting content will be invaluable as ITV focuses on improving its hit rate across all platforms – television, online and mobile.
“With Kevin in place heading up the content business and working alongside Peter Fincham, who has been fully involved in the appointment process, ITV now has a team of unrivalled creative talent working right across the company.
“Lee Bartlett has done a fantastic job in establishing ITV as a global player and focussing the business on international growth. I am delighted that he will continue to oversee ITV Studios’ international interests and will be
an integral part of the new team. “
Kevin Lygo said: “ITV Studios is one of the most successful commercial producers in the UK and owns some of the biggest brands in TV. Our goal is to keep those programmes fresh and relevant, develop new hits and exploit the full value of those properties across all platforms in the UK and internationally.
“I am very excited about the new challenges ahead in content production and to be working closely with Adam and Peter. I know we are very much looking forward to working together as a team to make ITV the creative powerhouse and global player it deserves to be. ITV is – and should remain – the home of great entertainment.”
Lygo's current role as Director of Television and Content at Channel 4 includes responsibility for Channel 4 Group’s portfolio of channels – Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4. Programming highlights during Kevin’s leadership at Channel 4 include Skins, Come Dine With Me, The Inbetweeners, One Born Every Minute, Mo, Jamie’s School Dinners, Shameless, Supernanny, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, Brat Camp, Deal or No Deal, Green Wing, Da Ali G Show, Smack the Pony and The 11 O’Clock Show.