Sam Bickley has been announced as acting channel editor of BBC Three, taking over from Zai Bennett who departs the BBC next month for Sky Atlantic.
Bickley has been responsible for commissioning across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three since she joined the BBC in 2010. Currently head of commissioning for documentaries and features for BBC Three, she is also joint head of BBC One documentaries, a role which she will continue.
Bickley’s commissioning credits on BBC Three include Barely Legal Drivers, Extreme OCD Camp, Unsafe Sex And The City and Don’t Drop The Baby.
BBC Three is in the process of moving entirely online after BBC director general Tony Hall took the decision earlier this year to axe the channel in its current format.
Birthplace of major BBC hits including Little Britain and Gavin and Stacey, the loss of BBC three comes as the Corporation looks to save £100 million a year, for which Hall said “tough choices” would have to be made.
Under Hall’s proposal, the youth-orientated channel will become wholly available online via the BBC’s iPlayer, where a large proportion of its programming already premieres.
Damian Kavanagh, controller BBC Daytime, will continue to lead the work to design and implement the new BBC Three online service that will launch in Autumn 2015.
Commenting on her appointment, Bickley said: “I have worked on BBC Three for many years, watching this innovative channel grow.”
“Zai and the team have built a vibrant, exciting and diverse BBC Three with amazing reach and I feel privileged to be asked to follow in his footsteps. I will continue to navigate Three through the year ahead with some amazing new shows to come.”
BBC director of television, Danny Cohen, added: “Sam has a deep understanding of the BBC Three audience and a passion for reaching young viewers.
“This period running the BBC Three television service will allow her to put all of this skill and experience to powerful use.”
Bickley will take up the new role on BBC Three from mid-June.
