Five seeks entertainment head

UK terrestrial Five is on the hunt for a head of entertainment, the first time the role has been advertised in five years.

Channel controller Richard Woolfe emailed staff yesterday to announce he was recruiting for the role. The deadline for applications is May 12 and Five will decide on a shortlist on May 19.

Woolfe said in the email: “Dawn Airey (Five CEO) has already said we want to put the fun back into Five, so I will be appointing a head of entertainment. I’m looking for a big hitter. Our shows have got to stand out in a crowded market so I want someone who has extensive experience both in a broadcaster and as a hands-on producer.”

The broadcaster is also recruiting a head of production within the same, tight timeframe.

The broadcaster has concentrated on factual and features over the past few years, but has recently freed up around £12m (US$18m) by moving US drama House to Sky1.

The position has been empty since 2007, when previous holder Ben Frow left the channel. Before Frow, the role was held by Andrew Newman, who left the broadcaster in October 2003 to return to Channel 4.