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Kim Shillinglaw: Controller of BBC2 leaves amid cost-saving shake-up

Broadcaster scraps separate channel bosses as BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore takes over Shillinglaw's portfolio

Ian Burrell
Media Editor
Tuesday 19 January 2016 13:48 GMT
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The BBC insisted that the 'reorganisation' would mean a more 'simplified' structure at the top of the BBC
The BBC insisted that the 'reorganisation' would mean a more 'simplified' structure at the top of the BBC

The controller of BBC2 has left the BBC in a cost-saving shake-up that leaves the broadcaster further weakened as it enters a crucial period in negotiating with the Government over its future scope and funding.

The BBC insisted that the “reorganisation” - ending separate bosses for BBC1 and BBC2 - would mean a more “simplified” structure at the top of the BBC. Kim Shillinglaw’s departure from BBC2 comes amid concerns over the relaunch of its leading show, Top Gear, under new presenter Chris Evans.

The shake-up, in which BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore takes over Shillinglaw’s former portfolio of BBC2 and BBC4, means the BBC has, in the space of weeks, lost its Director of Television Danny Cohen, its Creative Director Alan Yentob and its controller of BBC2. Shillinglaw had been seen as a rising star of the BBC.

The BBC is likely to announce further changes, with uncertainty over the future of Cohen’s former role, currently carried out by former comedy chief Mark Linsey on an acting basis.

The BBC upheaval comes at a time of wider flux in TV’s public broadcasting sector, with ITV’s long-standing Director of Television Peter Fincham announcing his departure and Channel 4 facing the uncertainty of possible privatisation.

In its announcement, the BBC said the changes “will support new, creative approaches to programming and scheduling”. Sources said the new structure would enable savings to be made “behind the scenes”.

Ms Moore, who will be known as Controller, TV Channels and iPlayer, was interviewed for the new role in a two-horse race with Ms Shillinglaw. After her promotion, she said: “A united vision across the portfolio will encourage greater ambition and diversity of output, more creative freedom and quicker decision making.”

BBC says changes 'will support new, creative approaches to programming' (Getty)

Ms Shillinglaw, who began her role in April 2014, opted to leave the organisation. “I’ve loved modernising BBC Two and Four over the last two years but when you don’t get the big job it’s time to move on.”

The changes will raise questions about the future of BBC2, although the BBC insisted the channel would not be diminished. Ms Moore took BBC2’s hit show The Great British Bake Off to her BBC1 in 2013.

During Ms Shillinglaw’s reign at BBC2, she has had to cope with the meltdown at Top Gear and the departure last year of star presenter Jeremy Clarkson, swiftly followed by co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond.

The high-profile replacement show, which launches in May, is reported to be in trouble. The show is said to have been beset by a “catalogue” of problems and the controller has faced criticism for being too hands-on in her management of the key project.

Lisa Clark, the executive producer appointed to reboot the show, quit just before Christmas after only five months in the job. Evans was said to have been furious at the departure, having introduced Clark for the post.

In a statement, Linsey said: “Kim has led BBC2 and BBC4 with great creativity, bringing viewers an amazing range of programmes including edgy documentaries like Meet the Ukippers, innovative comedy in Boy Meets Girl, ambitious TV experiments like Are Our Kids Tough Enough?”

At Westminster, the BBC Trust chair Rona Fairhead appeared before the Media Select Committee and told MPs that Director General Tony Hall was engaged in an on-going programme of cutting layers of senior management.

Steven Barnett, professor of Communications at Westminster University, said: “Given the cuts the BBC is facing I think it’s inevitable that it has to find ways of reducing senior jobs and there will be individual casualties and programme casualties.”

Adam Barker, Channel Executive BBC Two and Four, will take up the post of Acting Editor, BBC Two.

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