Lygo quits Channel 4

Kevin Lygo (left), long-standing director of television and content at UK terrestrial Channel 4, is leaving to take over at commercial broadcaster ITV’s production business ITV Studios.

His exit comes a week before UKTV CEO David Abraham officially takes on the same role at Channel 4.

Lygo’s departure was first rumoured earlier this week, when ITV’s new CEO Adam Crozier took over the reins at the network. ITV chairman Archie Norman has also stated that his top priority is to revitalise the production division.

At present, it is unclear whether current ITV Studios boss Lee Bartlett, ushered in by former ITV Studios chief Dawn Airey in 2008, will stay with the company. He was reported to be moving ‘sideways’ under Crozier’s shake-up earlier this week.

In 2005, ITV Studios provided 66% of the network’s schedule, a figure that fell to 47% last year. Crozier’s predecessor, Michael Grade, said he wanted ITV Studios to provide three-quarters of all ITV’s programming.

Lygo rejoined C4 as director of television in November 2003 and in 2007 he was promoted to director of television and content reporting to Andy Duncan. Under his leadership, C4 has picked up awards for programming as diverse as Jamie’s School Dinners, The Government Inspector, Make Me Normal, Dispatches, The Hamburg Cell and The Ashes.

He first joined C4 as head of entertainment and music in August 1997, presiding over So Graham Norton, Trigger Happy TV, Top 10s, Smack the Pony, Spaced, Black Books and Da Ali G Show. He has also been a director of programmes at Five and head of independent commissioning for entertainment at the BBC.