Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4 for almost nine years, will step down from his role in October this year.
Katz, responsible for hit shows It’s a Sin, Big Boys, and We Are Lady Parts, is the longest-serving content chief in Channel 4‘s history. He started out in journalism and was deputy editor at The Guardian until 2013, before he became editor on the BBC’s Newsnight.
During his Channel 4 tenure, he has presided over a period of “considerable creative and commercial success,” according to the channel, and played a central role in its transformation from linear broadcaster to streamer.
His recent slate includes Virgin Island, Dirty Business, A Woman of Substance, Handcuffed: Last
Pair Standing, Secret Genius and The Piano. Audience favourites have also thrived, such as Taskmaster — which Katz brought to the channel — Gogglebox and The Great British Bake Off. Nigella Lawson’s recruitment to the latter was Katz’s doing.
On his watch, Channel 4 has produced documentaries and current affairs films that include Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain, Go Back to Where You Came From, Russell Brand: In Plain Sight, To Catch a Copper, The Jury: Murder Trial, The Push, Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, and Kill Zone: Inside Gaza. Katz also masterminded the Channel’s noisy and successful U.K. election coverage in partnership with Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Politics podcast.
Other standout scripted series under Katz are Brexit: The Uncivil War, Jack Thorne’s Help, and Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping. He leaves with Jack Thorne’s Falling, Steven Moffat’s Number 10, Daisy Haggard’s Maya, and Russell T. Davies’ Tip Toe still to come.
“It’s been a privilege beyond words to lead Channel 4’s talented and passionate commissioning team through such a transformative period,” said Katz. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, from pioneering the evolution of a commercial public service broadcaster into a digital streaming business, to backing groundbreaking programs and talent that have brought a bit of joy to audience’s lives. Above all, I’m proud that Channel 4 has continued to be as disruptive and impertinent as ever, asking the questions and covering the stories that other broadcasters and streamers won’t. The channel’s 2026 slate is stronger than ever, and I look forward to watching its continued success under Priya’s leadership.”
Priya Dogra, Channel 4 CEO, added that Katz has been “an outstanding creative leader for Channel 4.” She continued: “He has overseen an era of creative renewal, delivering bold and distinctive public service programming with intellectual rigour, good humour and an unmistakably Channel 4 glint in the eye. He will be greatly missed, but I’m delighted that he will remain with us for some months yet, continuing to lead our creative output, commissioning decisions and delivery of the 2026
slate.”
Katz will remain in his post until October, continuing to commission and oversee the delivery of the 2026 slate.
