ITVSGE adds Barnes for drama

UK-based distributor ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVSGE) has hired the former head of digital at Channel 5 as its head of drama acquisitions and coproductions.

Kate Barnes

Kate Barnes joins the firm from Microsoft’s Xbox, where she was executive producer of TV in EMEA leading the development of original, interactive TV content for the Xbox platform.

Prior to that she was head of digital networks at C5, overseeing 5* and 5USA where she was responsible for the creative and strategic decision making.

In her newly-created role, Barnes will be responsible for driving ITVSGE’s global drama acquisitions, finding new opportunities and developing partnerships with producers.

She will begin on January 12 and report to Ruth Clarke, exec VP and director of global content and coproductions.

Clarke said: “Kate’s extensive experience from channel acquisitions, Channel 5 and Xbox, where she has been working closely with the US market, will be instrumental as we continue to expand our portfolio of world-class drama by partnering with producers and creatives around the world.”

Prior to joining C5, Barnes was a senior acquisitions exec at satcaster BSkyB, acquiring programming across all genres for Sky1, Sky2 and Sky3.

Last year, Microsoft announced it was closing its Xbox Entertainment Studios after only two years in business amid widespread job cuts at the US software giant.