ABC1 Deputy Controller to join BBC Worldwide

The exchange of execs between public broadcasters and BBC Worldwide continues with Deputy Controller of ABC1 Natalie Edgar to become Director of Television for BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand.

This follows former BBC execs Brendan Dahill and Deirdre Brennan appointed to ABC and Tony Iffland joining SBS.

Edgar has been with ABC since 2007, including as Dahill’s Deputy Channel Controller for ABC1 and was responsible for the relaunch of ABC2 prior to the appointment of current ABC2 Controller Stuart Menzies.

She will replace Brennan, who becomes ABC3 Controller in the new year, as the editorial voice for BBC Worldwide’s content in Australia-New Zealand. She will be responsible for commissioning and acquiring content for the channels, and leading the new TV formats production partnership with FremantleMedia in Australia and NZ.

Interestingly, she will also lead the launch of premium drama and comedy channel BBC First, the deal which sees ABC lose first access to many of its BBC scripted titles to pay television.

“I’m thrilled and very proud to be taking up the position of Director of Television at BBC Worldwide. It’s such an exciting time to be joining with the launch of BBC First next year and I’m looking forward to bringing more great British content to audiences in Australia and New Zealand,” she said.

Jon Penn, Managing Director of BBC Worldwide ANZ, said: “Natalie’s passion for content and her first-class editorial experience will ensure our television business is in the best possible hands, as we launch a premium BBC channel and raise our game in content production.”

Edgar will start at BBC Worldwide in mid-January.