Fremantle lures BBC exec to US

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) has poached a BBC Entertainment commissioning editor and producer as its new VP of alternative programming,

Sean Hancock will be responsible for development and production of reality competitions, gameshows and other unscripted programming for FMNA, reporting to the Los Angeles-based operation’s recently appointed exec VP of alternative programming, Toby Gorman

Hancock most recently spent three-and-a-half years as a UK-based commissioning editor at BBC Entertainment, where he greenlit or executive produced programmes for youth-skewing BBC3 including The Revolution Will Be Televised, Russell Howard’s Good News, The Michael McIntyre Chat Show and Sweat The Small Stuff.

Before the BBC, Hancock was a freelance producer of UK shows including Celebrity Big Brother, The Farm, Shipwrecked, All Star Family Fortunes and Britain’s Missing Top Model.

In a statement, FMNA CEO Thom Beers said Hancock’s “keen eye for concepts that resonate with audiences, along with his diverse experience in developing and producing reality and gameshows, amongst other programming, will make him a brilliant addition to our team.”

Hancock said: “I’ve loved and valued my time at the BBC but couldn’t turn down this exciting opportunity to work in the American television market.”