Stuart
Murphy named first controller of BBC THREE
 Stuart
Murphy, currently Controller of BBC Choice, will become the first
Controller of BBC THREE, the new digital channel aimed at young
adults that is due to launch in February 2003, the BBC announced
today.
Making
the appointment, Jana Bennett, Director of Television said: "Stuart
has been with BBC THREE from the very beginning and has played an
integral part in its development and the approval process.
"We
are all really excited about the fresh and contemporary channel
he is launching next year, it will bring the best public service
values to a younger generation and offer something very different
from other digital channels.
"His
plans are bold and thought provoking and I for one cannot wait to
see them on air."
BBC
THREE will be a distinctive and inherently multicultural, interactive
channel with 80% of programming specifically commissioned for the
channel and 90% of programming being made in the UK or Europe.
Original
and intelligent drama and entertainment will represent the majority
of the output but more than a third of programmes will cover news,
current affairs, education, music and arts.
There
is a commitment to 15 hours of science, religion, ethics and business
per year, a dedicated 15 minute news programme each weekday evening
with hourly bulletins until midnight and a commitment to new talent.
No
other digital channel covers the full range of genres for young
adults with a fully mixed schedule.
Stuart
Murphy said: "Being given the chance to launch BBC THREE is
one of the most exciting jobs in broadcasting.
"It
is great to offer brand new drama and entertainment to this audience
but I am relishing putting together a schedule which also has new
current affairs, factual and news programming aimed at this age
group.
"I
hope people will feel there is quality programming covering all
areas of their life on BBC THREE."
Biography
After
graduating from Clare College Cambridge in 1993, Stuart Murphy started
working for the BBC in BBC Manchester's Youth and Entertainment
Features.
After
stints at MTV and Planet 24 (where he produced the Big Breakfast)
he returned to the BBC in March 1997 as Strategic Development Manager
for the Independent Commissioning Group where he worked with Jane
Root.
Later that year Stuart was made BBC Broadcast Development Executive
working with David Docherty and Roly Keating and when, in November
1998, he launched UK Play, he became the youngest Channel Editor
in Britain at the age of 26.
In
1999 Stuart came to work on BBC Choice and in January 2001 he began
working on the proposals to turn it into BBC THREE.
Approval
was granted for BBC THREE in September 2002.
Notes
to Editors
The
proposals for BBC THREE were approved by the DCMS on 17 September
2002.
The
channel will broadcast from 7 p.m. until 4 a.m. each day.
BBC
THREE joins BBC ONE, BBC TWO, BBC FOUR, CBBC and CBeebies as part
of the BBC's portfolio of television channels.
BBC
THREE and the other BBC digital channels will be available free-to-air
on all digital platforms, including the new digital terrestrial
platform Freeview.
BBC
THREE to launch on 9 February 2003 (19.11.02)
BBC
unveils new logo for BBC THREE (16.10.02)
BBC
welcomes approval for BBC THREE (17.09.02)
Notes
to Picture Editors
A
still of Stuart Murphy is available on the BBC digital picture service
People folder.
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