ABC Factual boss lands plum global role at Discovery Networks

ABC Head of Factual, Phil Craig, has landed a major role with Discovery Networks International in the dual role of executive vice president and chief creative officer.

TV Tonight reported he would depart the broadcaster after 2.5 years to return to the UK.

Craig will next lead the Production and Development group which spans five locations: Silver Spring, New York, Miami, London and Singapore. He will develop factual and lifestyle content primarily for flagship global networks Discovery Channel and TLC, and will work collaboratively with his U.S. counterparts on content sharing and development.

“I’m thrilled that Phil Craig is joining us to lead DNI’s creative strategy and team. It is a hugely exciting time for the company, with international revenues now exceeding those in the U.S., and the incredible momentum of our international network portfolio which just delivered a third straight record quarter in viewership,” said JB Perrette, President of Discovery Networks International. “Great content is at the heart of that success and this role is critical for our plans to further grow brands, networks and audiences around the world. Phil has an impressive track record of creating hit series and nurturing great creative talent, which together with his unique global experience, makes him the perfect choice.”

“Being offered this incredible job feels like re-connecting with a great friend,” commented Craig. “Ten years ago, Discovery asked me to make ‘The Flight That Fought Back.’ After that, I produced and executive produced many hours for Discovery Channel all over the world. My first ambition is to lead with energy, imagination and passion. I look forward to growing the business still further, in close collaboration with colleagues at the U.S. networks and across all the local and regional markets, as Discovery Networks International continues to establish itself as a world-leading commissioner of original, quality programming across all platforms.”

ABC Director of Television, Richard Finlayson, said “During Phil’s tenure, the factual team has produced some outstanding programming including important external commissions such as Whitlam, First Footprints, Kakadu, Redesign My Brain and The Dreamhouse, but also in-house productions from the Compass and Catalyst teams and the upcoming ABC Adelaide specials on Countdown. We appreciate that some pressing family matters mean that Phil is departing a few months earlier than planned, but he’s left a number of excellent shows in the pipeline, including some of the expected highlights of 2015”.

“I’ve loved my time working for the ABC, but family concerns made me cut short my time in Australia. It also made me available for a great new opportunity at Discovery International,” says Craig. “In almost 30 years in television I’ve never encountered a group of people as committed to the highest ambitions of public service broadcasting as the genre head group at the ABC and its leadership. It will be particularly hard for me to leave the in-house production teams that I’ve been so proud to lead at the ABC. Their talent and commitment has been a constant inspiration”.

The position of Chief Creative Officer at Discovery is newly created following the combination of the roles of Chief Content Officer and Creative Director, Head of Production and Development for Discovery Networks International, previously held by Luis Silberwasser and Julian Bellamy respectively, who left Discovery earlier in 2014.

He will be based in London and begin the job in February.