UKTV has appointed Sony commissioning executive Tracey-Jean to its factual and fact-ent team.
As a commissioning executive for the broadcaster, Tracey-Jean, who is known as TJ, will executive produce shows for Yesterday, W, Gold and Dave, and will work closely with indies to develop new programmes.
She reports to head of factual and fact entertainment Helen Nightingale and joins the team behind returners including Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, Bangers & Cash, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Big Zuu's Big Eats and Secrets of the London Underground.
TJ has spent almost a decade at Sony Pictures Entertainment and last year, she joined its LA gameshow division as an international format and development executive, where she acquired their first international unscripted format and played a key role in securing the commission of the US version of Israeli format Raid the Cage.
TJ previously held a string of roles within SPE’s formats and development team. She set up the first global summit for Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and led the internal task force for continued renewal of this key title. She also helped top manage the Dragon's Den brand and co-created original unscripted shows including RTE’s Goodbye House.
Her former boss Wayne Garvie, president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, has described her as “a genuine original, few combine her eye for a format, tenacity, originality and sheer spirit - always valued wherever she is, always missed whenever she leaves”.
Nightingale said UKTV would benefit from TJ’s “wealth of development and format experience at a senior level and a fantastic knowledge of international markets”.
TJ added: “I've kept my eye on UKTV and its distinctive programmes for years and I cannot wait to be part of the team that gets to take such special ideas to screen.
“Having a background in unscripted formats that was forged on the opposite side of the table gives me a great empathy for anyone who pitches their ideas and I look forward to getting my hands dirty to find great shows together.”
