Stuart Murphy, the current director of Sky 1 HD and director of commissioning, has been promoted to director, Sky Entertainment Channels.
Murphy is taking additional responsibility for the shape of Sky’s entertainment channel portfolio, Sky Atlantic HD, Sky Arts HD and Sky Living HD as well as Sky 1 HD, which have developed an increasingly distinctive feel.
Murphy will continue to report to Sophie Turner Laing, MD of Entertainment, News and Broadcast Operations, alongside Sky Movies, Sky News, Sky Creative, Broadcast Operations and Network Planning.
“Over the past three years, under Stuart’s leadership, we have seen Sky 1 become a true destination channel, offering our customers some of the finest drama, comedy and entertainment programmes on television at the moment,” comments Sophie Turner Laing. “I have no doubt that in his new role, he’ll bring the same vision and drive to the rest of the portfolio, working with the team to look at the next steps for the rest of our – first class – entertainment channels.”
Sky has committed to increase investment in homegrown programming to £600 million by 2014. Forthcoming original British content includes David Attenborough’s 3D documentary Kingdom of Plants, and new drama and comedy such as Sinbad, Starlings, Hit and Miss and Playhouse Presents.
In addition to his channel responsibilities, James Hunt has become director, entertainment production taking over from Barbara Gibbon who has joined Sky Creative as director of production and operations.
