BBC Studios appoints Peter Tierney to lead new reality label

BBC Studios Productions has appointed Peter Tierney to lead a new development label, specialising in Reality. 

This new label will focus on scalable reality formats as well as mainstream entertainment, which will be produced and distributed by the first-class teams at BBC Studios both in the UK and globally.

Led by Tierney, the label will sit as part of the newly formed Development division headed up by Karl Warner, EVP of BBC Studios Entertainment and Digital Development. Alongside it will be a factual entertainment label and the existing mixed entertainment label, Rebel Rebel Pictures.

Underpinning all three labels is a new central development and design team led by the recently announced Mel Bezalel, which will provide creative and strategic support as well as first-class pitch materials for them to take out to commissioners in the UK and around the globe.

Tierney joins from ITV where he is currently Commissioning Editor of Reality. During his seven years in commissioning, Tierney greenlit titles across all of ITV’s channels including Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, which he was instrumental in shaping for a contemporary audience. He ordered critically acclaimed series, The Fortune Hotel as well as the likes of Peckham's Finest, Secret Crush, and Killer Camp. In addition to this, his slate included various entertainment series such as Celebrity Juice, The Emily Atack Show, The Stand Up Sketch Show, and multi award-winning Don't Hate The Playaz. During his time at ITV, Tierney oversaw some of the Network’s top rating shows for each channel’s target demographic.

Prior to joining ITV’s commissioning team Peter Tierney worked across numerous entertainment and reality shows including I’m A Celebrity…, The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Dancing On Ice and Love Island. He has also worked as a development producer throughout his career.

Pete Tierney says: “There’s an incredible appetite at BBC Studios to make a big play into the Reality sphere and so the chance to marry that appetite with my experience was just too inviting to miss. I can’t wait to get the new label up and running - I’m really excited for what’s to come!”

Karl Warner, Executive Vice President of BBC Studios Entertainment and Digital Development says: “Pete’s credentials in the Reality genre speak for themselves so it’s a real coup he’s chosen to set up a new label with us. We have big, ambitious plans when it comes to Reality, matched brilliantly with Pete’s creativity and passion for making jaw dropping television. We can’t wait to see what his new label come up with.” 

ENDS