Newman heads for Peep Show producers

Channel 4’s comedy boss Andrew Newman is to leave his job to work for the producers of Peep Show.

His departure comes as Channel 4 plans to expand its comedy and entertainment output to fill the gap left by axing Big Brother in 2011.

As head of entertainment and comedy, Newman has always supported Peep Show, even if its modest ratings have failed to match its critical acclaim, and has commissioned other shows from Objective Productions, including Balls of Steel, TNT Show and Star Stories.

Newman’s new job will be as chief creative officer, working alongside chief executive Andrew O’Connor.

O’Connor said: ‘Having Andrew on board will give the company an even greater creative talent bank to work alongside me.

‘ I have watched Andrew’s career develop over the last 15 years and, as the man who played a key creative role in some of the most interesting and innovative TV of the last decade from Brass Eye to Ali G to setting up E4 to running comedy and entertainment at Channel 4, he is the ideal person to help me lead the company’s creative direction.’

Newman joined Channel 4 in 1998 after stints as a researcher on Brass Eye and producer of the first series of The 11 O’Clock Show, both at Talkback Thames. He briefly worked for Five, but returned to Channel 4 in 2003.

Published: 14 Oct 2009