DNI hires Nat Geo alum Sayer

Discovery Networks International (DNI) has appointed a former National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) commissioner to oversee its production and development slate.

Edward Sayer

Ed Sayer has been named VP of production and development for factual at DNI and will take up the London-based role in October, reporting to exec VP and chief creative officer Phil Craig.

Sayer was most recently VP of commissioning for NGCI and worked on shows including Ultimate Airport Dubai and Science of Stupid. Before that he worked for the BBC and ITV Studios, where he was behind series such as Cops With Cameras.

Craig said Sayer’s “a fresh voice, unique vision and unbridled energy” would help the company develop programming that “resonates around the globe.”

“We’re facing the future with great confidence, commissioning some compelling new content and developing a strategy across a wide range of factual genres that will both engage current audiences and reach out to new viewers,” he added.

Craig arrived at DNI at the turn of the year after leaving his role as head of factual at Australian pubcaster ABC to replace Julian Bellamy, who moved to ITV Studios.

In related news, Discovery Channel in the UK is preparing a one-off doc about two infamous UK gangster brothers, which will air later this year.

The Krays: The Prison Years (1×60’) is being produced by UK prodco Woodcut Media and uses never-before-seen footage, interviews and reconstructions to explore how the brothers lived behind bars.