TV3’s director of programming, Ben Frow, is to leave the commercial broadcaster after five years
Frow, who joined the station from Britain’s Channel 5 in 2007, has decided to return to his native UK and will finish up at the Ballymount-based station at the end of the year.
In a statement he said his five years at TV3 had been “exciting, demanding, challenging and, often frustrating” and praised the staff at the station.
TV3’s CEO, David McRedmond said that Frow had left “a distinctive and brilliant mark on Irish broadcasting” adding that he was “extremely sad” to see him leave.
Formerly head of features and entertainment at Channel 4 and a commissioning editor at Channel 5, Frow had been credited with helping transform TV3 from an acquisitions-led channel into a station that now transmits roughly 40 per cent Irish content.
Among the shows he launched were ‘The Apprentice’, ‘Tallafornia’, ‘The Forgotten Irish’ and ‘Deception’, which is due to air next year.
Frow also created TV3’s Independent Production Unit and oversaw the re-branding of Channel 6 into 3e.
TV3’s CEO, David McRedmond said: “Ben has not only transformed TV3’s programming, he has left a distinctive and brilliant mark on Irish broadcasting. I was delighted to persuade him to come here and persuade him to stay for so long.
“Ben is leaving a talented team behind and a transformed schedule which we look forward to building on. While I am extremely sad that Ben is leaving TV3, he has all of mine and my colleagues’ gratitude and he leaves with our very best wishes.”
Frow said: “The last five years have been exciting, demanding, challenging and, often frustrating. But they have also been some of the most rewarding and enjoyable of my career - thanks to the skill of wonderful people across TV3 and particularly my talented and enthusiastic team in the Programme Department.
“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have contributed to the growth and success of the TV3 group during my time as director of programming and it will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
In an interview with IFTN last month, Frow indicated that he was finding the current broadcasting landscape in Ireland difficult. He said the past 12-months for TV3 had been “like the year of being assaulted” and said the year had been “a very, very tough year indeed.”
Frow added: “There’s a real pulling in of the reins, watching every single penny. Much harder to take risks, much harder to try new things. You become much more reliant on the old dependables. For me it’s much tougher than 2008, definitely the worst year of the recession."
