Ben Frow To Leave Skydance’s UK Network 5 After 14 Years
Ben Frow will leave his day-to-day role as chief content officer at Paramount UK next summer, after 14 years overseeing 5, formerly Channel 5. His departure comes amid a leadership reshuffle following Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, though Frow is said to have chosen his own timing.
Frow joined 5 in 2012 and shifted its focus from acquired programmes towards original drama and factual content. His tenure included cancelling Big Brother and investing in shows such as All Creatures Great and Small; the network later won industry awards and recorded a £71.7 million operating profit in 2021. He will remain employed by Skydance until the end of 2027.
- Ben Frow will leave 5’s day-to-day leadership in summer 2027.
- He has overseen the network for 14 years.
- His tenure included investment in original drama and factual programmes.
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Channel 5, now branded as 5, is a UK television network that makes and commissions programmes as well as showing acquired content. Ben Frow joined in 2012 and became its chief content officer, overseeing decisions about what the network broadcast.
During his time in charge, 5 shifted towards more original drama and factual programmes, including All Creatures Great and Small. The network also stopped making some established shows, such as Big Brother. Its programming and finances are part of a wider UK television market in which broadcasters compete for viewers and revenue.