Sky content boss Zai Bennett moves to BBC Studios as production CEO
BBC Studios has appointed Zai Bennett as CEO and chief creative officer at its global content-making division BBC Studios Productions.
Bennett’s remit at the commercial arm of the UK pubcaster will span the company’s UK and international production units, owned labels and invested indies across its global entertainment, factual, scripted, kids and family, and audio genres.
He will be tasked with building high-value, distributable IP, maintaining BBC returning series and key brands, securing new commissions and expanding BBC Studios’ international format pipeline through development capabilities in existing markets as well as expansion into new territories.
He joins from pay TV broadcaster Sky, where he is currently MD of content, responsible for the satcaster’s portfolio of entertainment services such as Sky Atlantic and Sky Max, Sky’s premium brands, Sky Cinema and Sky Kids, as well as Sky’s free-to-air networks like Sky Arts.
His credits there include dramas such as Chernobyl, Gangs of London, Patrick Melrose, This England, Bulletproof and Discovery of Witches, hit comedies like Brassic and Sally4Ever and entertainment shows such as Rob & Romesh Versus.
One of Bennett’s first roles in TV was at Channel 5, where he scheduled the channel’s launch night. He subsequently joined ITV as part of the core team that launched ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4, working his way up to become director of the digital channels and commissioning such titles as The Only Way is Essex, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Celebrity Juice. At the same time, he oversaw acquisitions for all of ITV.
In 2011, Bennett moved to the BBC to become BBC Three’s fourth controller, where he set about commissioning comedy hits including Bad Education, Murder in Successville and People Just Do Nothing. He also commissioned documentaries such as My Murder and Life & Death Row.
He takes up his new position in November and will report to BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell, joining its executive committee.
Fussell said: “Zai’s risk-taking creative hit rate speaks for itself. He has impact and gravitas and can propel BBC Studios Productions even faster forward without losing the deeply engrained BBC ethos all who work here share.
“His deep genre experience in scripted comedy and drama through to factual entertainment, documentaries, film and kids, coupled with the relationships he’s cultivated with the very best creative talent, will complement our production business growth plans and take us to the next level domestically and globally. I can’t wait for him to start.”
Bennett added: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the powerhouse that is BBC Studios Productions this autumn. BBC Studios Productions has a special place in the production ecosystem, upholding the BBC’s unique purpose and values in everything they do, while marrying this with creative commerciality to help export the BBC’s brand around the world as a champion for the highest-quality programming in every genre.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join Tom’s team; his ambition and plans for BBC Studios are clear, exhilarating and infectious. I can’t wait to work with him and the world-class creative teams across all the genres and divisions to help keep driving BBC Studios Productions’ growth and stature around the world.”
