7 Wonder poaches Betty programming chief

Seven Network-backed producer 7 Wonder has poached the director of programming at Discovery Communications-owned Betty.

Duncan Coates joins Betty as creative director, a newly-created role, to help the company accelerate its production output.

At Betty, Coates has overseen development and production of shows such as The Undateables, Ugly House to Lovely House with George Clark, Obsessive Compulsive Country House Cleaners and Tricks of the Restaurant Trade, all for Channel 4, and Too Ugly For Love? for TLC.

Prior to that, he worked at Warner Bros. Television Production UK-owned Wall to Wall, where he executive produced Long Lost Family and Wanted: A Family of My Own, and has also directed films for the BBC and Channel 4.

Reporting to Alexandra Fraser, 7 Wonder’s chief creative officer, Coates will aim to make similar factual and factual entertainment programming in his new post.

7 Wonder launched in London two years ago, with Fraser, Liza Abbott and Simon Ellse at the helm and the backing of Australia commercial broadcaster Seven. It opened a second office in Birmingham earlier this year, and has secured commissions with ITV, Channel 4, BBC Two, BBC Four and Sky 1.

“With Duncan’s richly deserved reputation for being one of the best programme makers in the industry, he is going to make a great addition to the team,” said Fraser.

“We’ve enjoyed a hugely busy and successful first two years and Duncan’s appointment as creative director will allow us to be even more ambitious with the ideas we develop, and uncompromising in the quality of the shows we deliver.”