The BBC has today (13 September 2000) appointed Peter Salmon as the BBC’s first Director of Sport. Peter will be a member of the BBC’s executive committee – the first time that Sport has been represented at this level of the BBC.
Peter will head the new BBC Sport division, created last April as part of the BBC’s overall restructuring, which integrated commissioning and programme-making to create a single face of BBC Sport for radio, television and online.
This new appointment fills the final post on the new BBC Executive Committee, promoting BBC Sport to the heart of the BBC’s decision making.
Peter has been Controller of BBC ONE for the past three years, responsible for many memorable programmes like Walking with Dinosaurs, Warriors, Clocking Off and hit comedies The Royle Family and dinnerladies. He played an integral role in winning back the FA Cup to the BBC.
Director-General Greg Dyke said: ‘Peter told Mark Thompson, BBC Director of Television, and I some months ago that he didn’t want to continue as Controller of BBC ONE beyond this autumn. It so happened that we were looking for a new Director of Sport and Peter seemed an obvious choice.
‘Peter needed little persuading. He is passionate about sport, especially football, and he brings to the department great experience in programme-making, plus an acute awareness of the bigger picture in broadcasting – a picture in which BBC Sport needs to consolidate its position. His experience as Controller of BBC ONE will be enormously useful in Sport – he understands the schedules and will obviously look to expand sports output on BBC ONE.
‘Peter has done a good job in difficult circumstances at BBC ONE. This autumn’s schedule, like last autumn’s, is full of originality and quality and is testament to his commissioning skills. He will be a strong addition to our Executive team.’
Peter Salmon said: ‘Short of scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup Final it doesn’t come much better than this. Rarely do you get the opportunity to move from ONE challenge immediately to another in broadcasting. BBC ONE was a very demanding role and I am proud of what our programme-makers and I have achieved these past three years.
‘Dynamic creativity is at the heart of all programme-making, and sport is no exception. I am keen to encourage new ideas, explore emerging technologies and connect BBC Sport to all parts of Britain and the world.
‘Sport has its own complexities and is at the cutting-edge of competitive broadcasting. The big challenge is to decide how to equate BBC Sport’s public service remit with the expectations of both the sports themselves and the audience. I am looking forward immensely to that challenge in the knowledge that I am inheriting quite simply the best team in sports broadcasting upfront and behind the scenes.’
Peter is expected to take up his post on 1st November.
The complete list of BBC Directors on the Executive Committee, reporting to the Director-General is:
Alan Yentob
Director Drama, Entertainment & Childrens’
Mark Thompson
Director, Television
Michael Stevenson
Joint Director, Factual & Learning
John Smith
Director, Finance, Property & Business Development
Peter Salmon
Director, Sport
Margaret Salmon
Chief Executive, Resources
Phil Langsdale
Director, Distribution & Technology
Gareth Jones
Director, Human Resources & Internal Communications
Caroline Thomson
Director, Public Policy
Lorraine Heggessey
Joint Director, Factual & Learning
Tony Hall
Director, News
Rupert Gavin
Chief Executive, Worldwide
Carolyn Fairbairn
Director, Strategy
Mark Byford
Director, World Service
Matthew Bannister
Director, Marketing & Communication
Jenny Abramsky
Director, Radio
Ashley Highfield
Director, New Media
Pat Loughrey
Director, Nations and Regions
For further information, please contact Mike Hales
Sport Marketing & Communications
Telephone:020 8225 9900
sport.publicity@bbc.co.uk
September 13, 2000
Issued by BBC Press Office
Telephone : 020 8576 1865