Following the recent announcement that director of BBC Television, Danny Cohen, is to leave the BBC and that Mark Linsey will be stepping into the role in an acting capacity, the BBC has confirmed that Alan Tyler will take up the position of acting controller, BBC entertainment commissioning.
Tyler is currently a commissioning editor in BBC entertainment with responsibility for overseeing the growth of entertainment commissioning in nations and regions across all BBC channels.
He has been acting as Linsey’s deputy over the last year, overseeing the department whenever the controller was absent. His credits include The Sarah Millican Television Programme, Only Connect, Room 101, The Great British Bake Off Extra Slice – as well as upcoming series with Michael McIntyre and new physical gameshow Can’t Touch This.
Tyler began work with Granada as a development producer before stints with the BBC in London and Manchester. He founded the format house Ideas Unlimited to provide formats to UK and international markets with credits including Beat The Streets and The Heist.
Tyler was development executive for comedy and entertainment at BBC Scotland between January 2003 and April 2004 with credits including The Last Laugh (BBC Three), The Interrogators (BBC Three) and The Secret Map Of Hollywood (BBC One).
“Entertainment is a hugely important genre for the BBC, marrying head and heart to deliver a real treat to audiences,” said Tyler. “It is an absolute privilege to work in this area. I’m looking forward to doing just that with the best on-screen and off-screen talent in the UK.”
Linsey added: “Whilst I’m doing the director of TV job I’m really grateful to Alan for stepping up to run entertainment commissioning and I know he’ll do it brilliantly.”
Tyler takes up the role from Monday 2 November.
