UKTV has appointed Emma Tibbetts as its new Director of Programming for Drama, as it finalises changes to the structure of its programming team in line with plans to integrate its linear and VOD divisions to deliver on its digital first and audience-led strategy.
Reporting to Chief Programming Officer Steve North, Emma will be responsible for developing and delivering the drama content strategy across UKTV's channels and free streaming service U. Working closely with the commissioning, acquisitions, digital curation and wider programming teams, Emma will help identify content gaps and targets, with the aim of optimising the performance of UKTV's linear channels across pay and free-to-air, and driving views to U.
Steve North said, Emma's immense industry knowledge, including her background in content, audience insight and VOD, make her the ideal candidate for this role. She has an infectious enthusiasm for television coupled with an innate understanding for how viewers watch and consume content in the digital space.
Emma Tibbetts added, I'm thrilled to join UKTV at such an exciting time following the rebrand and with a continuing slate of incredibly high-quality drama content in the pipeline. The recent successes the network has seen with the likes of The Marlow Murder Club and The Red King, form a strong foundation for audience appeal into the future.
Emma's role sits alongside two further genre-based programme directors following last month's appointments of former Gold and Yesterday Channel Director Gerald Casey as Director of Programming for Comedy and Entertainment, and former U&W Channel Director Adam Collings as Director of Programming for Factual and Factual Entertainment.
In addition to the Programme Director roles, UKTV has created three new Programming Lead roles, one for each genre. These roles report to the appropriate director of programming and are responsible for the release of content across the business. They play a pivotal role in driving genre performance across the network and in identifying content requirements for the relevant genre across VOD and linear. Internal candidates Vicky Walker and Peter Preston have taken on the roles of Programming Lead for Drama and Programming Lead for Comedy and Entertainment respectively, while Alex Jefferson has joined from ITV as Programming Lead for Factual and Factual Entertainment. Alex brings with her a background in content and scheduling across both linear and VOD platforms that will help the business as it becomes increasing digitally orientated.
Emma Tibbetts rejoins UKTV at the end of December, having previously worked for the broadcaster from 2008 to 2017. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Emma has developed her experience across a number of roles within viewer insight, scheduling, VOD player and channel management; working at broadcasters such as ITV, Channel 4, UKTV, GMTV & Turner Broadcasting, as well as agencies such as Starcom and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Emma joins at a pivotal time for UKTV as the broadcaster continues with its transformation to connect with a more digitally-led audience. Earlier this year UKTV launched its new Masterbrand U, with its streaming service transitioning from UKTV Play to U and its linear channels pre-fixed with U&, uniting the network and aiding viewer navigation.
For more information please contact:
Kerry Goode, Director of Communications, UKTV
Yvette Dore, Corporate Communications Manager, UKTV
PressOffice@uktv.co.uk
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, Gold, Alibi and Eden - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freely and Freesat; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV's content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media. UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UKs most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the worlds leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress
More from UKTV
21/10/2026
Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over returns for a seventh series in 2027, with Stacey Dooley MBE getting exclusive access to the homes and lives of Kerry Katona, Lauryn G...
21/10/2026
Expansion builds on broadcasters successful FAST launch and grows portfolio to 12 channels
New channels dedicated to iconic brands including Top Gear, EastEnde...
20/10/2026
As Only Fools and Horses marks its 45th anniversary year, and following tonights...
08/10/2026
14-hour package also includes A Remarkable Place to Die season 2 as well as libr...
07/10/2026
The six-part series will launch on free-streaming service U in 2027.
A set of first look images have been released for The Cadburys (6x60'), the upcoming s...
24/09/2026
London, 24th September 2026: UKTV has commissioned an eighth series of Canal Boat Diaries (8x60') for U (u.co.uk) and U&YESTERDAY, with waterways explorer R...
23/09/2026
A great watch - Radio Times
TV's most likeable proper bloke - Daily Telegraph
23rd September 2026, London: Guy Martin returns to free streaming service...
17/09/2026
The Neighbours Effect: Gen Z Brings Back Big Hair, Double Denim and 80s soap sty...
10/09/2026
The beloved duo are back with big challenges and even bigger laughs as they discover if you're ever truly too old to try something new.
Previous praise for...
26/08/2026
Brand new comedy game show entertainment format
Jack Dee will host free streaming service U (u.co.uk) and U&Dave's brand new comedy game show Jack Dees He...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
13/08/2026
New U and U&W Documentary Features Kathleen Richards, One of the Last Surviving Witnesses to Fred and Rose West
Kathleen is Reunited with Childhood Friend and ...
12/08/2026
NEW BOOKSHOP OPENING IN LONDON THAT OFFERS NEW IDENTITIES, NOT BOOKS, WITH FREE ...
03/08/2026
Jason Flemyng, Tessa Peake-Jones, Lee Ingleby and Georgia Tennant join the cast ...
09/07/2026
Years in the making, this intimate documentary draws on rare access to Leah Crouchers family to tell the story behind one of Britains most high-profile missing ...
07/07/2026
UKTV commission with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television and inspired by Deborah Cadbury's book, Chocolate Wars
The six-part series is produced by Fable P...
01/07/2026
UKTV has today announced the appointment of Matt Berry to the newly created role of General Manager - Marketing, effective 1 July.
Matt will take on this senio...
26/06/2026
Flicker Productions to produce five-part docu-reality series following women who have fallen for men in prison and have become TikTok sensations, with brands an...
24/06/2026
24th June 2026, London: Dara Briain will host brand new comedy entertainment series Dara's Dull Appreciation Society (4x40') celebrating members of th...
23/06/2026
23rd June 2026, London: UKTV and BBC Entertainment have unveiled a joint co-comm...
09/06/2026
Filming to take place in Holmfirth
9th June 2026, London: U&GOLD is heading bac...
02/06/2026
Praise for series three:
The Times - sun-dappled pleasure
The Daily Mail - The Homes Counties' Charlie's Angels
The Sun - 4* this [is an] enjoya...
29/05/2026
Youtube exclusive special drops today
Watch now
UKTV today announces another e...
19/05/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
15/05/2026
The six-part series is a co-commission with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television...
14/05/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
08/05/2026
Pete reunites with Dogs Trust for a fourth series and a two-part overseas special
London, Friday 8th May 2026: The award winning factual entertainment series P...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
29/04/2026
Rhod Gilbert, Harriet Kemsley, Kae Kurd, Sara Pascoe and Vicki Pattison to take part in brand new series on free streaming service U
Stream for free on U HERE
...
22/04/2026
Hit Point is now available to watch on U
U have unveiled exclusive first-look images for their six-part police thriller Hit Point, starring Nick Blood (Day of ...
22/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
16/04/2026
Bookish is created, written by and starring Mark Gatiss, with series one available on Sky, Virgin Media and NOW
Praise for series one:
Daily Mail - 5****
The...
10/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
01/04/2026
UKTV today announces that Jonathan Newman has formally stepped into the role of ...
17/03/2026
UKTV today announces the appointment of Sam Tewungwa as Chief Executive Officer, who will lead the company's next phase of growth.
Tewungwa, currently Mana...
11/03/2026
Following a successful first series, UKTV today announces the commission of two ...
09/03/2026
UKTV has agreed a new partnership deal with Samsung that makes UKTV's free linear channels available to internet-only Samsung TV viewers in the UK for the f...
26/02/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week's highlights include new episodes of Will and Ralf Should Know Better, The Marlow Murder Club...
24/02/2026
Paul C. Brunson: Red Flag to be produced by FirstLookTV and launch in 2026
UKTV...
19/02/2026
What can I watch on UK TV this week?What can I stream on U this week?
This guide highlights new and returning comedy, a critically acclaimed drama series avai...
13/02/2026
What can I watch on UKTV this week?What can I stream on U this week?
This guide highlights romantic dramas for Valentine's Day, alternative relationship t...
06/02/2026
What can I watch on TV in the UK this week? What can I watch on U&GOLD? What can I stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV, viewers can watch a range of new a...
05/02/2026
BBC Studios and UKTV have appointed Karin Marelle to lead their Global Acquisitions team, overseeing the sourcing of content across BBC Studios' global chan...
03/02/2026
Mel Giedroyc fronts brand new comedy entertainment format
3rd February 2026, London: U and U&Dave is set to launch brand-new escape room comedy entertainment s...
02/02/2026
Ahead of the hotly anticipated return of Bergerac to U and U&DRAMA in the Spring, a teaser has been released to give viewers a glimpse at what's in store in...
29/01/2026
New two-part true crime documentary, OUTBACK TERROR: THE FALCONIO MURDER, aims to shed new light on a case that continues to intrigue on both sides of the world...
26/01/2026
Bookish is created by and stars Mark Gatiss
Images available HERE
Following th...
15/01/2026
Views to free streaming service U grew by 15%, average monthly active users by 23% and registrations by 18%
UKTV's channels achieved record viewing share, ...
06/01/2026
Channel 4 and UKTV are giving viewers even more reasons to stream, with UKTV's U service set to feature thousands of hours of free, unmissable and bingeable...
UKTV has appointed Emma Tibbetts as its new Director of Programming for Drama, as it finalises changes to the structure of its programming team in line with plans to integrate its linear and VOD divisions to deliver on its digital first and audience-led strategy.
