Viacom poaches BBC exec for commissioning

Viacom has recruited Sean Doyle as a factual commissioner for its Channel 5 operation, poaching him from the BBC.

Doyle was head of development for daytime and features at the BBC, commissioning series including Blitz Cities and Michael Portillo’s State Secrets.

At Channel 5 he will report to director of programming Ben Frow. Channel 5 said Doyle will develop and commission new types of factual programming for the channel and champion emerging talent.

Prior to the BBC role, Doyle worked for several independent production companies including Wild Rover Productions and The Telegael Media Group

The commissioning hire is the second in recent weeks after Ninder Billing, who will join Channel 5 in August, as commissioning editor, factual and sport.