Zai Bennett leaves Sky for BBC

In a significant move, BBC Studios has appointed Zai Bennett as the new CEO and Chief Creative Officer for its global content-making division, BBC Studios Productions. Bennett will take up his new role in November, reporting directly to CEO Tom Fussell and joining the BBC Studios Executive Committee.

Bennett, who joins from his current role as Managing Director of Content at Sky, brings with him a wealth of experience. At Sky, he was responsible for a diverse portfolio of entertainment services including Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, Sky Cinema, and Sky Kids. He has overseen the production of critically acclaimed dramas such as “Chernobyl,” “Gangs of London,” and “Patrick Melrose,” as well as successful comedies like “Brassic” and “Sally4Ever.” Additionally, Bennett played a key role in launching Sky’s factual services, with Sky Documentaries winning the factual BAFTA for two consecutive years.

At BBC Studios Productions, Bennett will oversee the company’s UK and international production units, including the renowned Natural History Unit, owned labels, and invested indies across genres such as Global Entertainment, Factual, Scripted, Kids & Family, and Audio. His responsibilities will include driving the production business forward with a creative-first approach, building high-value, distributable IP, maintaining BBC returning series and key brands, securing new commissions, and expanding BBC Studios’ international format pipeline. A crucial part of his role will be to retain BBC Studios’ position as a major provider of original streamer series and the largest content supplier to the BBC.

Bennett expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, saying, “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the powerhouse that is BBC Studios Productions this autumn. BBC Studios Productions has a special place in the production ecosystem, upholding the BBC’s unique purpose and values in everything they do, while marrying this with creative commerciality to help export the BBC’s brand around the world as a champion for the highest quality programming in every genre. I couldn’t be more thrilled to join Tom’s team, his ambition and plans for BBC Studios are clear, exhilarating and infectious. I can’t wait to work with him and the world-class creative teams across all the genres and divisions to help keep driving BBC Studios Productions’ growth and stature around the world.”

Tom Fussell, CEO of BBC Studios, praised Bennett’s appointment, stating, “Zai’s risk-taking creative hit-rate speaks for itself. He has impact and gravitas and can propel BBC Studios Productions even faster forward without losing the deeply ingrained BBC ethos all who work here share. His deep genre experience in scripted comedy and drama through to factual entertainment, documentaries, film and kids, coupled with the relationships he’s cultivated with the very best creative talent, will complement our production business growth plans and take us to the next level domestically and globally. I can’t wait for him to start.”

Bennett’s previous experience includes roles at Channel 5 and ITV, where he played a part in launching ITV2, ITV3, and ITV4. As BBC Three’s controller, he commissioned popular comedies like “Bad Education” and “People Just Do Nothing,” as well as award-winning documentaries such as “My Murder” and “Life and Death Row.” His extensive background in television production and content acquisition makes him a valuable addition to BBC Studios Productions, which is responsible for seven of the top 10 performing shows in the UK in 2023, including major events like Eurovision and the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

BBC Studios Productions’ recent output includes notable series like the second season of Jimmy McGovern’s “Time,” David Attenborough’s “Planet Earth III,” and Nicolas Winding Refn’s adaptation of “The Famous Five.” The division’s owned production labels have also delivered successful shows such as “Baby Reindeer” (Clerkenwell), “Renegade Nell” (Lookout Point), and “The Jetty” (Firebird Pictures). BBC Studios has 12 production bases in the UK and operates in regions including the Nordics, India, Australia, Spain, South Africa, Germany, France, and the USA.

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