SBS restructures as Head of Commissioned Content confirms departure
Sue Masters to now oversee Scripted content, John Godfrey to head up Unscripted division at SBS.
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SBS is restructuring its commissioning exec team as Head of Commissioned Content Alison Sharman (pictured) confirms her departure after three years.
She will return to the United Kingdom at the end of April.
Director of TV and Online Content, Marshall Heald, said: “We thank Alison for her invaluable contribution to SBS. In her time Alison has led an esteemed slate of great commissioned content across SBS, including the coup of bringing renowned chef Heston Blumenthal to the network. Alison was also instrumental in great series like The Family Law, Struggle Street, The Principal, Mardi Gras, Rachel Koo’s Kitchen Notebook and, in production, Deep Water. She is an exceptionally talented program-maker and we wish her all the best for the future.”
SBS will now split its commissions into Scripted, headed up by Sue Masters, and Non-scripted, under John Godfrey.
Sue Masters, currently SBS Executive Producer Drama, has a formidable industry track record including at ABC and TEN and has commissioned SBS titles including The Family Law, The Principal and Deep Water. The scripted team will be responsible for drama and comedy.
John Godfrey, currently SBS Head of Documentaries, has been responsible for documentaries, including First Contact, Struggle Street and Go Back to Where You Came From series 2 and 3. The non-scripted team will be responsible for documentaries, food, entertainment and factual entertainment.
Joseph Maxwell, currently SBS Commissioning Editor, Documentaries, has now been appointed as Head of Documentaries.
The changes follow ABC recently restructuring its exec team including with Scripted and Unscripted divisions.
“The SBS Charter is at the heart of SBS commissioned content and these changes are about ensuring we are well-placed to continue our momentum of audience growth and to leverage new opportunities across key genres in scripted and non-scripted content that delivers distinctive, inspiring and entertaining programs for Australian audiences,” said Heald.
SBS will also be recruiting new Commissioning Editor roles within both the Scripted and Unscripted teams.