David Brindley appointed Director of Programmes at Channel 4

Channel 4 today announced the appointment of David Brindley as its new Director of Programmes. In this pivotal creative leadership role, David will be responsible for shaping Channel 4’s editorial direction and delivering the next generation of distinctive and talked-about Channel 4 titles.

David will have full commissioning and editorial responsibility for Channel 4’s programming across scripted and unscripted genres. As the channel’s key creative leader, he will define the editorial vision and commissioning strategy for those genres, partnering with producers and creative talent to develop the next wave of breakthrough Channel 4 programmes, championing the ideas and voices that make Channel 4 distinctive.

His appointment completes Channel 4’s new commissioning leadership team and is a key part of Channel 4’s strategy to be the most exciting partner for creative talent, ideas and independent producers across the UK.

David will provide editorial leadership across Channel 4’s content portfolio, together with Louisa Compton, Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust. David and Louisa will have end-to-end editorial ownership of their respective areas. Working alongside them, Kiran Nataraja, Director of Content Strategy, has responsibility for content strategy, portfolio planning and acquisitions. Together, David, Louisa and Kiran will lead Channel 4’s Commissioning team.

David joins Channel 4 from Twofour, where he is Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Producer. His appointment marks a return to Channel 4, where he was previously a Commissioning Editor for Documentaries. He will join the channel in January and will also become an Executive Member of the Channel 4 Board.

Priya Dogra, Chief Executive, Channel 4, said: “As we reshape Channel 4 to invest more in distinctive British content and back creative talent across the UK, I wanted a Director of Programmes who would be able to take ambitious risks in programming and deliver powerful shows that make a cultural impact, while sustaining the bold attitude that has always been the calling card of Channel 4.

“David has a proven ability to nurture the ideas and talent that create truly standout television. With hundreds of hours of award-winning shows under his belt and deep experience working in public service broadcasting, he is the ideal person to join our existing creative leadership team and help us deliver our vision for the future of Channel 4.”

David Brindley, incoming Director of Programmes, Channel 4, said: “I’m immensely proud to be joining the talented team at Channel 4. At a moment of seismic change within the industry and the channel, it has never been more important to ensure Channel 4 thrives creatively, by deepening its connection with audiences and the production community across the country.

“The UK is home to the world’s best creatives, producers and storytellers, nurtured in no small part by the strength of our public service broadcasters. I want Channel 4 to be the place where those creatives and producers feel trusted and free to do their most challenging, entertaining and distinctive work. I’m excited to get started working with Priya, Kiran, Louisa and the wider team, delivering the next generation of innovative, culture-defining programmes that get viewers talking across the UK.

“I’d also like to thank everyone at ITV Studios and Twofour for their support and outstanding commitment to excellence over the years. It’s been a privilege to work alongside such inspirational colleagues – I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together.”

David Brindley biography:

David Brindley is currently Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Producer at Twofour, one of the UK’s leading television production companies. He has worked across some of British television’s most successful factual and entertainment programmes over the past two decades.

During his time at Twofour, David has overseen a slate including The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy ( Apple TV ), Educating Yorkshire (C4), Destination X (BBC/NBC), The Box (ITV), I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl (BBC) and Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook (Apple TV). Under his leadership, Twofour was named Production Company of the Year at the 2026 Edinburgh TV Festival.

Prior to joining Twofour, David was Head of Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, overseeing more than 350 hours of programming annually. His commissions included Race Across the World, Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, Interior Design Masters, The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan and The Rap Game UK.

Before joining the BBC, David was a Commissioning Editor for Documentaries at Channel 4, where he worked across some of the broadcaster’s most successful factual brands including One Born Every Minute, Educating, 24 Hours in A&E and 999: What’s Your Emergency. He also commissioned the First Cut strand, supporting emerging documentary talent.

David began his career as a producer and director, series directing both One Born Every Minute and Educating Yorkshire (C4) and working across acclaimed documentary series and films including Wife Swap (C4), Beautiful Young Minds (BBC) and The Fallen (BBC).