Parfitt to develop BBC programming for teenagers

Published Monday 26 June 2006 at 15:40 by Liz Thomas

Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt is to lead the BBC’s move into teen programming.

Parfitt will develop ideas for programming and content aimed at 12 to 16-year-olds, which will be delivered through existing broadband, TV and radio services. It is an area the Corporation has long acknowledged it has fallen short in.

The output will include TV drama series, as well as comedy, music and factual content, but will not involve the launch of a new channel.

He said: “It’s an exciting and serious responsibility to take on in addition to being controller of Radio 1 and 1Xtra. This is a very important audience group and I know that there’s a lot of great work that we can do for them.”

Parfitt, who has been in his current post since 1998 reporting to Jenny Abramsky, will additionally report to Jana Bennett, director of television for his new role.

Announcing the appointment, director general Mark Thompson said: “Andy’s appointment is a significant step in developing the public service vision set out in Creative Future. The BBC plays an important role in the early years of many children’s lives but as they reach adolescence this relationship fades as the Corporation hasn’t been producing enough content that appeals to them.

“We are now aiming to bridge that gap with high quality content tailored and packaged for them, which we hope will complement existing services provided by the commercial sector.”