Alison Sharman

Alison Sharman born [1] in Manchester[2] is the director of factual, children's and daytime at ITV.

She was previously controller of CBBC, with overall responsibility for BBC children's programmes, including acquisitions, commissions and CBBC online. She had a long career at the BBC and had been head of BBC daytime programming from 2002 until taking up the new position on 20 June 2005.[2]

Shortly after becoming controller of CBBC, Sharman made clear her belief - given that the TV license fee is universal - in the need to reach out and connect with all sections of society. "Above all," she said, "we must always keep a respectful focus upon two of the core needs of children: first, the need to understand and express something of their deep inner world. And secondly, the need to understand their place in - and relationship to - the outer world, from their immediate family to the wider society."[3]

Sharman introduced a popular new children's sports news programme on Saturday mornings called Sportsround,[4] and commissioned bold new dramas for CBBC. She also brought back a beloved story based programme called Jackanory.[5]

Sharman left to join ITV as Director of Daytime Factual and Children's in 2005.[6] Sharman has introduced Saturday morning adult shows to the weekend, ending a long legacy of Saturday morning children's programmes, heralding a new audience profile to the weekends.

In Spring 2006, Sharman negotiated a deal to poach Antony Worrall Thompson from the BBC where he had been presenting Saturday Kitchen, and bring him to ITV to present Saturday Cooks! in practically the same timeslot.[7]

In 2007 Sharman was considered a candidate for the next Controller of BBC1. She ruled herself out.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Media top 100 2006: 85. Alison Sharman". London: The Guardian. 17 July 2006. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/jul/17/mediaguardiantop100200625. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  2. ^ a b Brown, Maggie (4 July 2005). "Why the bogey jokes had to go". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/jul/04/mondaymediasection5. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  3. ^ "A Creative Vision - Speech given at the Showcomotion Festival in Sheffield". BBC Press Office. 7 July 2005. http://bbc.net.uk/pressoffice/speeches/stories/sharman_showcomotion.shtml. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  4. ^ "New drama in CBBC autumn slate". C21Media. 7 July 2005. http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=79&article=26065. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  5. ^ Gibson, Owen (4 July 2005). "Jackanory turns the page after nine-year silence". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/jul/04/bbc.books. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  6. ^ "CBBC controller Sharman joins ITV". BBC News. 15 November 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4439244.stm. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  7. ^ "Wozza's ITV move goes sour". London Evening Standard. 5 July 2006. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23057808-wozzas-itv-move-goes-sour.do. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  8. ^ Gibson, Owen (12 November 2007). "The dream job in British television that no one seems to want". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/12/television.bbc. Retrieved 13 February 2010.