Channel 4 ups Lee

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has promoted Ralph Lee to deputy chief creative officer, although he keeps his existing role as head of factual.

In his new role, Lee will deputise for C4’s chief creative officer Jay Hunt on creative decision-making across all channels and platforms and will lead on the development of major programme seasons.

Lee will also be responsible for providing the strategic direction for shortform content on 4Shorts, the broadcaster’s new VoD brand. In that venture, he’ll be working with head of online Richard Davidson Houston and his team, who will be commissioning the content.

Lee has been C4’s head of factual since 2011 and has been responsible for series and programmes including The King in the Car Park, 24 Hours in A&E, Cutting Edge and the controversial Benefits Street. He was previously deputy, then head of specialist factual at C4, with a stint as head of factual at Channel 5 in 2007.

Meanwhile, Hunt has confirmed a change in reporting lines for daytime commissioning. Commissioning editor David Sayer has been promoted to head of daytime and will report to head of features Gill Wilson.

Head of formats Dominic Bird will continue to lead on peaktime format commissioning for Channel 4 and will increase his focus around younger-skewing programming – including E4 non-scripted commissions, and music and education commissioning.