Rare TV appoints Matt Cole as creative director, gets Smithsonian recommission

UK factual prodco Rare TV has appointed Matt Cole as creative director, while receiving a recommission from Smithsonian Channel for Ice Airport Alaska.

Matt Cole

Cole succeeds Fernando de Jesus as creative lead at Rare TV, having previously spent almost a decade as executive producer and creative director of Keo Films (Once Upon a Time in Iraq).

BBC Studios Entertainment tapped de Jesus to launch a new development label focused on unscripted entertainment formats and premium factual entertainment towards the end of last year.

Cole’s credits at Keo Films include Chimp Empire (Netflix), Inside the American Embassy (Channel 4), Trawlermen: Celebs at Sea (5) and Britain’s Best Cook (BBC One.)

Before that, Cole held senior factual development and executive roles at companies including Blink Films, Tigress, Icon Films and BBC Bristol.

Alexander Gardiner, chair of Rare TV, said: “I’ve been tracking Matt’s work for the past couple of years and have been very impressed at how he operates with creativity and an impressive ability to see the entire picture due to his vast experience. I am delighted he’s joining us at such a pivotal moment for the company and the wider industry.”

In related news, Smithsonian Channel has recommissioned Rare TV to produce a seventh season of Ice Airport Alaska.

The broadcaster has also renewed How Did They Build That?, produced by Curve Media, and How Did They Fix That?, made by Attraction, for their fifth seasons.