UKTV has hired a top executive from NBCUniversal to oversee its pay entertainment channel, Watch.
Adam Collings is leaving his post as Director of Channels at NBCUniversal, where he was responsible for Syfy and Movies 24, to become Head of Programming for Watch.
Reporting to Watch General Manager, Steve North, Collings will be responsible for driving viewing share by refining the scheduling and programming strategy.
He will also lead forward planning and editorial discussions relating to the channel’s schedule and programme supply from acquisitions and commissions.
Before joining NBCUniversal Collings spent seven years at ITV working across its digital portfolio and ended his time at the broadcaster as ITV Channels Executive working across ITV1 and the network.
He’s also held posts at both the BBC and Paramount Comedy.
North said: “Adam comes equipped with fantastic experience from both a terrestrial and multi-channel background.
“Having, in recent years, been at both NBCUniversal and ITV he has developed a complete knowledge of the acquisitions market and the dynamics of the digital environment from a scheduling and programming perspective.
“I’m confident he’s going to be a huge asset for Watch and UKTV.”
Collings, who takes up his post in the new year, added: “I have been fortunate enough to work for some of the biggest broadcasters in the UK and, having truly enjoyed my time at NBCUniversal, I am now thrilled to be joining UKTV, and specifically Watch, at an incredibly exciting period in its development.
“With its enviable content mix and sizeable viewer base, Watch has the ability to cement itself as a vital channel to UK audiences. I’m relishing the prospect of that task.”
