Ex-BBC exec Alan Tyler lands at RTÉ

Former BBC entertainment commissioner Alan Tyler has joined Irish public service broadcaster RTÉ as group head of entertainment and music.

Tyler takes up his Dublin-based role this month and will have overall responsibility for developing its entertainment and music output, devising original formats in partnership with the local production sector. He succeeds John McHugh in the role.

He will work closely with director of content Jim Jennings.

Tyler was executive editor of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, departing in 2017 after 12 years, having spent his final eight months as acting controller for entertainment commissioning.

During his tenure at the BBC, Tyler was responsible for shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, All Round to Mrs Brown’s, Live at the Apollo and Comic Relief.

Tyler went on to launch Edinburgh-based indie North By NorthNorth Media, which produced single Pure Magic for BBC Scotland, while working on projects with a number of other indies.

“Alan has the vision, a really strong record of creative leadership and great industry experience that I’m sure will enhance our output and deliver on our ongoing ambition to serve audiences with the very best Irish entertainment and music,” said Jennings.

Tyler added: “It is a privilege to be joining the team, especially at a moment when we are set to drive a search for a whole new generation of original content for our audiences.”

The appointment follows RTE’s restructure of its commissioning division into seven groups: drama and comedy; entertainment & music; factual; arts and culture; Irish-language programming, sport and young people’s programmes.