KEATING APPOINTED CONTROLLER OF BBC FOUR

ROLY Keating, currently Controller of Arts Commissioning and Digital Channels, will become the first Controller of BBC Four, the new cultural channel that is due to launch in March 2002.
Making the appointment, Mark Thompson, Director of Television said: "Roly has played an enormous part in the development of BBC Four, both creatively and through strong leadership. He was integral to the original proposal and, since it received approval from the Secretary of State in September, he has begun to craft a compulsive launch schedule. The birth of the channel could not be in better hands."
Keating, who will take up the new post in January, said: "BBC Four is British television’s boldest new investment in cultural programming for a generation, and being given the chance to launch it is one of the most exciting jobs in TV. The channel is for people who want more from television - more depth, more range, more stimulus for the mind, and is a fantastic challenge."
Keating will continue to act as genre commissioner for Arts until new arrangements have been put in place. In the interim, Franny Moyle, Creative Director for Arts (Factual & Learning), will deputise for Keating on arts factual, and Peter Maniura, Head of Classical Music & Performance (Radio & Music), will continue with his delegated responsibility for the performance slate. Commissioning executive Roger Thompson will continue to be the main point of contact for the independent sector. (CD)