Kate Phillips

Source: BBC

Kate Phillips

The BBC has confirmed that Kate Phillips will take over as chief content officer.

Phillips has held the UK broadcaster’s top editorial post on an interim basis since March, when Charlotte Moore announced her departure for Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television (SPT).

She will inherit a vast remit with responsibility for all network TV and radio output, all channels and iPlayer, BBC Film, Sounds, Children’s and Education content, and Sport. 

BBC director general Tim Davie said the appointment followed “a very competitive process”. 

It is understood Phillips saw off stiff competition from high-profile executives including iPlayer and channels chief Dan McGolpin and Nat Geo executive vice-president Tom McDonald.

Phillips has been unscripted director since 2022, and prior to this she was director of entertainment commissioning for five years.

Davie said: ”Kate’s passion for delivering world-class content to all our audiences shines through in everything she does. Her experience with the BBC spans over 12 years and in that time she has brought innovation, outstanding creativity and an absolutely focus on our audiences. She has a fantastic record of delivering creative hits which embody the best of the BBC.

“As the last controller of BBC1, she oversaw a wider range of programmes, working and commissioning with many genres including drama, comedy, arts and music, all of factual, current affairs, saytime, sport and entertainment. And in her most recent role as director, unscripted she has been respinsible for many of the BBC’s top performing shows. 

“I’m delighted that Kate will join the executive committee and play a vital role in shaping the BBC’s creative output for the future.”

This article was first published by Screen’s sister title Broadcast