ITV lures BBC controller for top job

December 01, 2008 The BBC veteran will take over one of the biggest jobs in commercial television here, becoming the network's director of entertainment and comedy, with oversight of such shows as "X Factor" and "I'm A Celebrity." Replacing outgoing executive Paul Jackson, who is returning to production, Bedell will be reunited with ITV director of television, channels and online Peter Fincham, with whom she worked with at BBC1. "Elaine has been a highly successful controller of entertainment at the BBC and has embraced the challenge of commissioning across a range of platforms to reach new and elusive viewers beyond the traditional TV audiences, something we are absolutely committed to at ITV," Fincham said Monday.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.