Disney hires BBCS alum Keelan

Disney has recruited former BBC Studios scripted chief Liam Keelan for a new role overseeing content for its linear channels and new streaming service across Europe and Africa.

Liam Keelan

Keelan left the UK public broadcaster’s commercial arm last year but has now resurfaced at the Mouse House as it gears up for the accelerated international roll-out of Disney+ in the coming months.

He will be responsible for scripted, unscripted, factual entertainment and animated originals across the company’s various genres, with a focus on general entertainment and family.

Based in London, he will lead a team of development and production execs in Europe and Africa with a brief to deliver originals for Fox, Disney Channel and Disney+. He will report to executive VP of media networks and content Diego Londono.

Keelan first joined BBC Studios (fka BBC Worldwide) in 2013 but left last March following a restructuring at the producer-distributor.

Keelan spent six years as director of scripted content at BBC Worldwide and before that was global editorial director. He was previously controller of BBC daytime and early peak and also held the same role at rival ITV.

Since leaving the BBC in March last year, he has been consulting for Amazon Studios and a number of independent production companies.