UK’s Channel 4 hires Lifted Entertainment exec to expand format & fact ent efforts

Luke Mcfarlane

UK pubcaster Channel 4 has appointed Lifted Entertainment exec Luke Mcfarlane as commissioning editor for factual, replacing Becky Cadman who joined Lime as creative director of formats and talent.

Mcfarlane was most recently executive producer on The Big Breakfast at Lifted and before that worked at Fremantle’s UK-based Naked TV.

His credits include the reality and factual entertainment formats The Only Way Is Essex, Celebs Go Dating, Britain’s Next Top Model, Life on Marbs, Sexpod and MTV Cribs.

Mcfarlane joins Alf Lawries’ factual entertainment team at C4, which is seeking young-skewing reality formats to complement Married At First Sight and the upcoming Rise And Fall.

Lawrie said: “Luke is a hugely respected and accomplished reality showrunner, and I’m thrilled he is joining the team. Reality is ever more important to the portfolio, as we pivot to All4, and he will help us expand our offering.”

Mcfarlane added: “Over the years, I have been lucky enough to work on some of the channel’s noisiest brands and have always been a fan of the anarchy, mischief and conversations that Channel 4’s shows can bring. I can’t wait to get started.”