RTÉ appoints fact-ent commissioner

RTÉ has named exec producer Teresa Smith as commissioning editor for factual entertainment, the latest senior appointment by the Irish public broadcaster.

Smith will lead the development and delivery of RTÉ’s fact-ent slate, and joins having been an executive producer at the broadcaster on formats including Traitors, First Dates, DIY SOS and Home of The Year.

She has also worked on domestic shows including Keys to My Life, Home Rescue and High Road Low Road, having previously worked in independent production.

Smith joins an expanding roster of commissioners at RTÉ, which last month named David Crean as its first permanent head of drama in four years. The broadcaster is also seeking its first dedicated comedy commissioner since Eddie Doyle departed for BBC Northern Ireland in 2018.

Alan Tyler, head of entertainment, described Smith as “a hugely talented and experienced executive producer” while director of video, Steve Carson, said her role would be integral to the broadcaster’s growth plans.

“[Smith] has a great track record of developing and commissioning entertaining formats and will now lead a slate at the heart of our strategy of serving audiences on TV while growing the RTÉ Player.”

Smith added: “I’m delighted to take on this role at such a key time for RTÉ and I look forward to working with the exceptional talent in the Irish independent sector to identify and nurture ideas that deliver for the Irish audience.”

Smith’s appointment to the role, which was open to the public, comes as part of RTÉ’s New Direction Strategy, which was out last summer and is intended to diversify production and support the development of the creative sector across Ireland.

The broadcaster’s other unscripted commissioners include Ray McCarthy, who oversees popular factual, and Colm O’Callaghan, who leads on specialist factual.