Please wait...
Please wait...

Sky hires Dixon as factual head

Satcaster Sky has hired former Raw TV and Arrow Media exec Poppy Dixon as director of documentaries and factual commissioning, ahead of the launch of two new channels dedicated to unscripted.

Poppy Dixon

Dixon is moving into commissioning, responsible for original docs and factual programmes across Sky’s portfolio.

The appointment follows the news that Sky is to launch two new factual channels, Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature, along with Sky History, a co-branded venture between Sky and A+E Networks previously known as History. All channels will launch on May 27.

Dixon will be responsible for commissioning original features and multi-part series for Sky Documentaries, a limited number of original natural history series for Sky Nature and premium true crime original series for Sky Crime. She will also oversee the expansion of original series for Sky History.

Alongside original series, Dixon will also be responsible for overseeing coproduction titles across all of Sky’s factual channels. In her new role, Dixon will work on the future direction of the factual services with MD of content Zai Bennett and director of programme strategy Jamie Morris.

Dixon has worked in TV and film for more than 15 years, starting out in factual entertainment before moving into documentaries in 2008.

Since early 2019, Dixon has been a development exec at Arrow Pictures, where she and John Smithson have been building a slate of documentaries, premium factual and scripted content. She is also currently producing a feature documentary with Met Film, directed by Sam Hobkinson, which will be completed in early 2021.

Prior to that, she spent more than seven years at All3Media-owned Raw, based both in the UK and in the US, where her credits include Bart Layton’s feature The Imposter and acclaimed hybrid movie American Animals, as well as Three Identical Strangers.

During her time at Simon and Jonathan Chinn’s prodco Lightbox, Dixon produced Ursula Macfarlane’s Untouchable, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Zai Bennett, MD of content, commented: “Poppy brings a wealth of experience in producing quality factual programmes and documentaries and she knows exactly what makes a gripping documentary. She is the perfect fit to help us build a world-class slate of original factual shows for our customers.”

Dixon added: “When I first heard about the launch of Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature, I was immediately thrilled for the industry to have these new platforms on which to showcase their work.

“Of course, I’m now doubly thrilled to be given the opportunity to help shape the direction of these new channels. I can’t wait to get started with Zai and the team at Sky, as well as with filmmakers and producers, to create a slate of compelling, must-see documentaries.”

Please wait...