Rights.tv bags Hit, BBC alumna

UK-based media rights specialist Rights.tv has hired a former Hit Entertainment and BBC Drama, Entertainment & Children’s executive as it prepares to open a new office in Manchester.

Jan Rowland joins the company as a consultant and is advising on a wide range of clients including Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips and Aura Entertainment, organiser of next month’s A:3K celebrity football tournament.

Rowland, formerly senior VP at Hit and chief operating officer for drama entertainment and children’s television at the BBC, has already brokered a deal to broadcast the event on UK network ITV1 in July. Aura and indie Talent TV are producing the show.

The move “shows how we can pull together a complex deal involving a major live event, broadcaster, sponsorship and global distribution rights to get the best package for all involved,” said Rowland.

Rights.tv is also about to open a Manchester office, adding to its London and Leeds digs, in order to capitalise on the BBC’s increased presence in the city, at Salford Quays’ Media City.