Klein is new BBC4 controller

Richard Klein

• Increase image
• View all images

Richard Klein has been appointed the new controller of BBC4.

Klein, currently head of independents commissioning for BBC Knowledge, replaces Janice Hadlow, who had led the channel for three years and was named controller of BBC2 at the beginning of October.  The move was seen to fit well with the BBC Trust's ambition to more closely ally BBC2 and BBC4, emphasising the PSB credentials of the terrestrial channel.

Klein, who has spent a year in his current role, is expected to take up the controller position before the end of the year.

He joined the BBC in 1996 as a series producer and moved into commissioning to become a commissioning executive. From there he became a senior commissioning executive and then the commissioning editor for documentaries in March 2005.

Recent commissions include The White Season, Stephen Fry: The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive, Amazon and The Fallen for BBC2 as well as Britain From Above for BBC1 and Blood Sweat And T-shirts for BBC4.

Before joining the BBC, Klein spent three years at London Weekend Television as researcher, reporter and then director on Weekend World, followed by Eyewitness.

He then worked as a director for a wide range of broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Romanian TV, directing feature-length, magazine shows, strands, documentaries and current affairs.

Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, said: "Richard is a bold thinker, capable of bringing a strong singular vision to the channel. He is able to reach out to the creative community, commissioning thought-provoking programmes, with an individuality of voice, wit and charm. 

"Richard has been part of BBC4's success from the very beginning and will ensure that the channel continues to cover a broad range of specialist subjects while taking it on to the next stage. Richard will be working closely with BBC2 to forge a more impactful partnership between the two channels."

Klein said: "I'm thrilled and excited at the prospect of leading BBC4, a channel with an extraordinary range of voices and a unique outlook on the world. It's daunting to be following in the footsteps of Janice, who has done a great job, but a rare privilege to have the opportunity to run such an intelligent, challenging and stimulating channel."

Those in the frame for the BBC4 job had included Klein's colleague Emma Swain, who is also a deputy to George Entwistle, controller of knowledge commissioning. Others tipped for the role were former More 4 chief Peter Dale and Channel 4 head of documentaries Hamish Mykura.

Klein recently slammed titillating and 'Big Mac' docs, claiming that factual programming was being undermined by "false, cod sympathy", voyeurism and biased views.