BBC Names Scotland Chief; Channel 4 Plans Klopp Doc; BBC Takes BAFTA-Nominated Comedy To Series — Global Briefs

BBC appoints new Scotland chief
BBC Scotland has named program maker, commissioner and award-winning broadcaster Steve Carson (pictured) as its new director, replacing Donalda MacKinnon, who steps down later this year. Carson is currently head of multi-platform commissioning for BBC Scotland and will be elevated to look after 1,100 staff. BBC director general Tony Hall said: “He brings with him a combination of excellence in program making, leadership and the respect and trust of the staff. Steve set up the BBC Scotland Channel brilliantly and I wish him every success in the future.”

Channel 4 orders Klopp doc
Channel 4 has teamed with German brewer Erdinger Weißbräu to commission Whisper to make a fast-turnaround documentary on Liverpool’s Premier League-winning manager Jürgen Klopp. The film, Jürgen Klopp: Germany’s Greatest Export, will feature interviews with former Liverpool stars like Steven Gerrard, John Barnes, Sir Kenny Dalglish and Steve McManaman. It will premiere on August 3. “This documentary will provide a remarkable insight into the man who, by his own admission, was a very average footballer but is undoubtedly already one of the greatest managers the game has seen,” said Channel 4’s head of sport, Pete Andrews.

BBC commissions ‘Brain In Gear’
BBC Two has taken Gbemisola Ikumelo’s BAFTA-nominated short Brain In Gear to series, with BBC Studios producing. The show is a flat-share comedy, where the nightmare tenants are the voices in your head. Famalam actress Ikumelo writes and stars. “This is a legit dream coming true moment for me,” she said. BBC comedy controller Shane Allen added: “This highly distinctive concept is ripe with comic potential and Gbemisola has fast become one of the leading comedy performers of her generation.” Josh Cole executive produces, while Inez Gordon and Joe Nunnery are the producers.