BSkyB hires A+E exec for Sky1

UK satcaster BSkyB has hired the VP of programming at A+E Networks UK to be director of Sky1, after the BBC’s Liam Keelan backtracked on his intended appointment.

Adam MacDonald

Adam MacDonald joins Sky after overseeing programming on History, Bio and other A+E cabsat nets – a joint venture between BSkyB and A+E Networks in the US. He has previously managed daytime TV at ITV and Channel 4, and also worked in scheduling at BBC1.

The post was created in December following the appointment of BBC daytime controller Liam Keelan and Stuart Murphy’s move upwards to manage Sky’s entire portfolio of entertainment channels: Sky1, Sky Living, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts, Challenge and Pick TV.

However, Keelan last month rejected the move to Sky in favour of a post at BBC Worldwide. MacDonald will now assume the post “later this year”.

He will join Murphy’s team of channel directors, which includes Antonia Hurford-Jones, director of Sky Living; Elaine Pyke, director of Sky Atlantic; James Hunt, director of Sky Arts; and Stephen Ladlow, director of Challenge and Pick TV.

At A+E, MacDonald was responsible for programming strategy and production for the History, Crime & Investigation Network, Bio and Military History channels in the UK, Africa, Middle East, and other key European territories. Prior to that, he was creative director at IWC Media, executive producing Iron Chef UK for Channel 4 (C4) and Wreck or Ready for BBC1.

He was also one-time controller of daytime and digital factual at ITV where he oversaw This Morning, Loose Women and David Dickinson’s Real Deal. He commissioned Deal or No Deal, Come Dine With Me and Coach Trip as head of Daytime at C4, having started out as head of planning and scheduling at BBC1.

Murphy said of MacDonald: “He’s an ideal appointment – not only has he already run History to great success, but he shares our values of excellence and fun. We can’t wait for him to join our fantastic commissioning and channel teams.”

Tom Davidson, MD for A+E Networks UK, added: “Adam has played a crucial role in the enormous success A+E Networks UK has driven over the last two years. Although I am sad to see him leave our company, I am also very proud to see him taking on such a high profile role within one of our shareholder organisations.”