At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead your own TV channel, managing schedules and programming budgets while guiding a talented team.
- Company: Join Narrative Entertainment, the UK's largest independent TV broadcaster with diverse content.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a chance to innovate in a fast-paced media landscape.
- Why this job: Shape the future of TV programming and make a real impact on audience engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in programming and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Narrative Entertainment is the UK's largest independent TV broadcaster, with a portfolio spanning Movies, Entertainment and Children's TV. We operate across linear broadcast channels (GREAT! and POP Networks), AVOD apps, and a growing range of FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels across major platforms.
The Programming Lead runs their own channel end to end - owning the schedule, planning, editorial and programming budget - while also overseeing a small team of experienced channel managers and contributing to the wider channel strategy. Reporting to the Director of Programming, who holds overall accountability for programming strategy, you'll set the standard for planning and scheduling across the portfolio, translate strategy into competitive, audience-winning schedules, and balance spend against return to keep your channel performing commercially.
As the primary point of contact for your channel across linear, FAST and VOD, you'll work closely with marketing and creative services, research, operations, media planning, compliance, finance and commercial teams.
Run your channel
- Own the planning and execution of quarterly and monthly schedules and promo-tables for your channel.
- Evaluate and select programming, applying strong editorial judgement to build schedules that hold brand values and hit commercial ratings KPIs.
- Analyse ratings and trends (BARB and TechEdge), track competitor activity, and turn insight into competitive scheduling decisions.
- Partner and communicate effectively with teams across the organisation and manage delivery with partners including agencies, traffic, compliance and broadcast services.
- Oversee inventory and stock and keep planning documents accurate and shareable - rolling 12-month and full-year plans, and highlights.
Management of Area
- Oversee a small team of experienced channel managers, setting clear objectives and consistent standards, and supporting their delivery.
- Take ownership of your programming budget - balancing spend against return, keeping a clear and current view of your financial position, and bringing sound financial acumen and accountability to every content decision.
- Own monthly portfolio planning sessions, coordinating programme sharing, complementary promotions and stunts, and avoiding clashes across the portfolio.
Shape strategy and the portfolio
- Contribute to shaping the departments channel strategy and long-range plan, in support of the Director of Programming.
- Take an evidence-based approach to content - partnering with the insights and research team and turning performance data and audience insight into clear, evidence-backed content recommendations and plans.
Programming Lead employer: Narrative Entertainment
At Narrative Entertainment, we pride ourselves on being the UK's largest independent TV broadcaster, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. As the Head of Acquisitions, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including comprehensive healthcare, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional development, all while working in a modern office that promotes a healthy work-life balance. Join us to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry and be part of a team that values diversity and innovation.
