C4 names BBC’s Street as daytime boss

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has appointed BBC executive Jo Street as its new head of daytime, replacing David Sayer, who announced last month he would be stepping down.

Jo Street

Street will oversee Channel 4’s UK-wide daytime commissioning team and will also lead the broadcaster’s new creative hub in Glasgow.

At the BBC, Street was the network commissioning editor for entertainment and daytime, as well as commissioning popular factual and features for the Scotland channel.

She has most recently been responsible for series including The Hit List, Who Dares Wins, Homes Under the Hammer, HeadHunters, Eggheads and Antiques Road Trip.

Channel 4 said Street’s new role comes as part of its 4 All the UK strategy, which will see 300 jobs created in the nations and regions at the new creative hubs in Glasgow and Bristol and the new national HQ in Leeds.

Street is the latest senior commissioning appointment to Channel 4’s new bases in the nations and regions, which has already seen head of drama Caroline Hollick and head of sport Pete Andrews take up roles at the Leeds office.

Street’s role was also originally due to be based in Leeds, but according to Channel 4 it has now decided to base the position in Glasgow, where Street can oversee the Scotland-based hub, due to her being “such an outstanding candidate.”

Sayer, who has been head of daytime since 2014, will be stepping down this autumn due to the decision to move his department to the north of the UK.

Kelly Webb-Lamb, Channel 4’s deputy director of programmes, said: “Jo’s reputation goes before her; she has an outstanding track record in daytime, popular factual and entertainment programming and is also an ardent advocate of the nations and regions. Her energy and vision will play a key role in the success of our commissioning strategy.”

Street added: “As a passionate advocate for ‘out of London’ commissioning, my appointment signals Channel 4’s intent to make it the most relevant, creative and diverse broadcaster in the UK.”