A&E’s Adam MacDonald takes Sky 1 post

UK satcaster BSkyB has appointed A&E Networks’ Adam MacDonald to run flagship channel Sky 1.

This follows Stuart Murphy’s promotion to director, entertainment channel at Sky last year. Murphy today called MacDonald an “ideal appointment”.

MacDonald is currently VP of programming at A&E Networks UK, which is a joint venture between A&E and Sky and operates channels such as History, Bio, Military History and Crime & Investigation Channel in the UK and across EMEA.

During his time, History’s ratings have grown 75%, and the wider A&E portfolio by 25%.

MacDonald will take up the new post as channel director later this year, charged with growing Sky 1 and continuing a push into original content, as part of Sky’s plan to spend £600 million a year on UK originals by 2014. He will also oversee time-shifted channel Sky 1+1 and Sky 2.

Tom Davidson, managing director for A+E Networks UK, added: “Adam has played a crucial role in the enormous success A+E Networks UK has driven over the last 2 years. Although I am sad to see him leave our company, I am also very proud to see him taking on such a high profile role within one of our shareholder organisations.”

MacDonald’s previously roles include creative director at IWC Media, controller of daytime and digital factual at ITV and head of daytime at ITV. He was also head of planning and scheduling at BBC One.