Apple is continuing to invest in top-talent for its streaming service, and its latest hire has just been announced: Factual Controller for the BBC Alison Kirkham will move to Apple this year.
She will be responsible for controlling unscripted content in the UK and Europe, reporting to creative controller Jay Hunt, who held the Chief Creative Officer role at Channel 4 in the UK and spent time as Director of Programmes at Channel 5, and Controller of BBC One.
After spending more than a decade with the BBC, Kirkham will move to Apple’s new international creative development team over the summer and will help the company reach more UK and European consumers in Apple’s fight against rivals Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
Kirkham previously oversaw major productions including Planet Earth II, live coverage of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as recent smash-hit Race Across the World.
As well as being responsible for similar unscripted shows at Apple, Kirkham will have control over drama and comedy in the UK. Trying and Slow Horses are the first two UK-centric shows to come out of the service, and Hunt has suggested she wants many more series.
Speaking of the move, Alison said: “I will forever be proud that, for six years, I was able to walk into New Broadcasting House as the controller of factual commissioning at the BBC.
“The last few weeks have shown more clearly than ever the precious role that the BBC plays in our cultural landscape. Now it’s time for the next challenge, and I am hugely excited about the world of opportunities that Apple has to offer.”
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