Sky Arts boss steps down

The head of BSkyB’s arts channel James Hunt is stepping down from his position after nearly five years with the pay TV broadcaster.

Hunt has been director at Sky Arts since 2011 and has overseen original shows including A Young Doctor’s Notebook as well as acquiring foreign series such as Maison Close from France’s Canal+ and Israeli drama Prisoners of War (Hatufim), which was later remade as Homeland.

He had previously been head of programming at Sky Arts before replacing John Cassy, who became director at Sky 3D. Hunt will step down with immediate effect but has not yet revealed his next project. His replacement is expected to be announced later this week.

During his time at the satcaster, Hunt also ordered the first live opera simulcast and the first live drama for over two decades.