Campbell named BBC3 controller

UK pubcaster the BBC has promoted from within to fill the vacant role of controller of youth-skewing online-only channel BBC3.

Fiona Campbell

Fiona Campbell is stepping up from head of BBC Studios’ documentary unit to run the network following news in November that Damian Kavanagh is leaving to join prodco Tiger Aspect.

In a statement, the corporation said Campbell “has a wealth of experience in commissioning storytelling that reaches young audiences and is a highly respected innovator in delivering digital content.”

Prior to joining BBC Studios, the pubcaster’s commercial and production arm, Campbell was digital director for BBC News. There she had editorial oversight of all of the department’s digital platforms and was responsible for the creation of content in a range of formats.

A partnership she launched between BBC Factual Commissioning and BBC News produced content such as the feature ‘The food supplement that ruined my liver,’ which was the most successful article ever published on the BBC News website, with five million readers in the first 24 hours.

Prior to that Campbell worked in factual commissioning as head of current affairs for the BBC and head of documentaries and features for BBC3. Her commissions included Unsolved, the Live Riots special, Britain’s Gay Footballers, Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened? and Tulisa – The Price of Fame. Prior to working at the BBC she was a commissioning editor for Channel 4.

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s director of content, said: “Fiona has a proven track record of innovation, creativity and an ability to reach young audiences. She knows how to make great content that appeals to people of all backgrounds and will bring a new dimension to all of BBC3’s programmes, from drama and comedy to factual and entertainment.”

Kavanagh took over as controller of BBC3 in 2014, overseeing the online migration of the channel in 2016.