Sky promotes Jamie Morris to director of programmes in UK & Ireland

Jamie Morris

European pay TV operator Sky has promoted Jamie Morris to become director of programmes for the UK and Ireland.

Morris, who was previously director of programme strategy, will now take on a remit that includes commissioning and acquiring shows for Sky, effectively working as a deputy to MD of content Zai Bennett.

The change comes amidst an uptick in commissioning for Sky’s channels, which the company said has grown by 50% over the past year.

Morris will remain in charge of scheduling and programme strategy across the Sky bouquet, having recently overseen the launch of factual channels including Sky Crime, Sky Nature and Sky Documentaries.

Former Arrow Pictures and Raw TV exec Poppy Dixon was subsequently appointed to a newly created role of director of documentaries and factual commissioning for the networks last year.

Bennett said in a memo to staff: “Jamie and his team perform a pivotal role in designing and managing the individual content brands and his insight in to what we need across the services for our customers is key to our success.

“We aren’t changing any of our commissioning processes or routines, but this change will mean that we can make sure programming decisions continue to be made quickly and effectively across all genres.”