U.K.'s Five burns C4, poaches exec
Frow's switch is latest move in game of musical chairs
Ben Frow, the man behind C4's portfolio of lifestyle hits embracing property and cooking, is to join Five as controller of features and entertainment in the new year.
Frow's decision is a much-needed boost for Five's new CEO Jane Lighting, whose arrival coincided with the departure of director of programs Kevin Lygo to C4.
It is the latest move in a game of executive musical chairs that is expected to see some of Lygo's ex-colleagues at Five join him at C4.
"I've loved every minute of my time at Channel 4, and I'm really proud of the contribution I've been able to make to the channel's success over the past five years," Frow said. "I feel I am now ready for a fresh challenge, and I'm very excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead for me at Five."
Shows developed and commissioned by Frow, including "Jamie's Kitchen," "Nigella Bites," "Location, Location, Location" and "How Clean Is Your House?," have been crucial to C4's peak-time success in the past two years.
Five could hardly contain its glee at securing Frow's services. "Ben has the golden touch, and his track record speaks for itself," director of programs Dan Chambers said. "He has been responsible for some of the most compelling and entertaining series on TV in recent years."
Frow's departure from C4 is believed to have been triggered by Lygo's offer of a job to Five ex-head of factual entertainment Sue Murphy, who is expected to join C4 before the end of the year.
