Cohen named BBC Three controller

The BBC has confirmed Danny Cohen as the new controller of BBC Three. Cohen joins the BBC’s digital channel after seven years at Channel 4 including a recent spell as head of BBC Three competitor E4 and as head of Channel 4 Factual Entertainment. He was responsible for the commission of Skins, Supernanny and The Trial of Tony Blair. Cohen replaces another former E4 head, Julian Bellamy, who is returning to Channel 4 to head up its commissioning.

“I believe BBC Three will play a central role in the debate about what public value means for young audiences as we create a whole new generation of programmes across all genres,” said Cohen.

BBC Three was launched in 2003 following the relative failure of its predecessor BBC Choice. The subsequent growth in digital households has resulted in its weekly reach last week increasing to 12.4 million in the target 16-34 age range. The channel has also pioneered comedy, drama and documentaries, many of which have later transferred to BBC One and BBC Two.