Ian Katz

Ian Katz
Born	(1968-02-09) 9 February 1968 (age 56)[1] South Africa
Education	University College School, Hampstead, London
Alma mater	New College, Oxford
Occupation	Journalist
Employer	Channel 4
Notable credit	Newsnight (BBC)

Ian Alexander Katz (born 9 February 1968)^[1] is a British journalist and broadcasting executive who is currently Chief Content Officer at Channel 4, overseeing all editorial decision making and commissioning across Channel 4's linear channels, streaming services and social media.^[2]

Katz originally followed a career in print journalism, and was a deputy editor of The Guardian until 2013.^[3] He then became the editor of the Newsnight current affairs programme on BBC Two,^[4] a role which he left in late 2017 to join Channel 4.^[5]

Early life

Born into a Jewish family he spent the first ten years of his life in South Africa. At that point, Katz and his family moved to London.^[6]

Katz was educated at University College School, an independent school for boys in Hampstead in northwest London, followed by New College, Oxford, where he studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics.^[7]

Early career in journalism

Katz joined the short-lived Sunday Correspondent as a graduate trainee in 1989 along with Jonathan Freedland,^[8] a future colleague. During the following year Katz moved to The Guardian remaining there until his BBC appointment in 2013, apart taking up a Laurence Stern fellowship at The Washington Post in 1993.^[9] During his period at The Guardian, he was successively a reporter, foreign correspondent (in New York 1994–97),^[10] edited the G2 supplement for eight years^[11] and was responsible for the Saturday^[12] (2006–08)^[10] and the weekday editions of the newspaper,^[3]

Katz was responsible for the new guardian.co.uk website in 1998.^[10] As features editor in January 2003, he ran an image commissioned from artist Gillian Wearing for the G2 front cover which consisted of the words: "Fuck Cilla Black".^[13][14] Intended to promote an article about the decline in the quality of British television, readers complained about the decline in the quality of newspaper journalism.^[14] Black's agent, her son Robert Willis, described it as a "cheap publicity stunt", and Wearing apologised for the offence caused.^[15]

In 2004, while editor of the G2 supplement, and having bought a list of voters, Katz oversaw the campaign for Guardian readers to pair with undecided voters in the marginal Clark County, Ohio to help swing the 2004 US presidential election against George W. Bush and in favour of John Kerry.^[16] The campaign did not have a successful outcome; it was dropped after a negative response and Bush won Clark County.^[17][18][19] In 2008, he became deputy editor,^[20] at the same time as Paul Johnson^[21] and Katharine Viner.^[22]

Guardian deputy editor

As deputy editor, latterly overseeing News and Business coverage from Spring 2010,^[23] Katz supervised The Guardian's investigation by Nick Davies, and others, into the News International phone hacking scandal.^[24] Following the release in 2011 of the Palestine Papers by broadcaster Al Jazeera and The Guardian, Katz defended 'the newspaper against attacks from Ron Prosor, at the time the Israeli ambassador to the UK, who had seen it as demonstrating the newspaper's "affinity for Hamas".^[25] This assertion Katz wrote was "based on a highly tendentious reading of a single op-ed column [by Seumas Milne] and a single line of one of two editorials which the paper ran on the Palestine Papers".^[25]

Katz was also one of the newspaper's contacts with Julian Assange of WikiLeaks, whose material The Guardian initially published before the relationship between the two organisations turned sour.^[26] According to an article in The Australian, David Aaronovitch of The Times at a panel discussion at the Frontline Club accused Katz of "dirty dealing", while Katz defended himself against an accusation of a "betrayal" of Assange levelled by Aaronovitch in the decision by The Guardian to publish documents relating to the Swedish sexual allegations involving Assange.^[27]

Katz was on the final short list of two in 2015 to succeed Alan Rusbridger as editor-in-chief of The Guardian, but Katz's rival, Katharine Viner, was appointed instead.^[28][29] In the film The Fifth Estate (2013), Katz was portrayed by actor Dan Stevens.^[30]

Newsnight editor

Katz joined the BBC in July 2013,^[3] and became editor of Newsnight at the beginning of September.^[4] Katz was the permanent successor to Peter Rippon, as editor of the programme following serious errors in editorial practice in recent years.

Shortly after becoming editor, Katz sent an unintended tweet late on 9 September. Katz typed, in what he thought was a private direct message, that the Labour MP Rachel Reeves was "boring snoring" while being interviewed by Jeremy Paxman on the programme. Katz deleted his tweet and apologised^[31] to both Reeves and the Labour Party.^[32]

A year later, Katz returned to the issue of the political interview in an article for the Financial Times. His mistake, he thought, had been to refer to Reeves when all political interviews had the "boring snoring" quality he had attributed to her appearance on Newsnight.^[33] He argued for a better understanding between the two sides in the "transaction", so that an interview is "a source of light as well as heat" becoming an opportunity to "explore and illuminate the dilemmas politicians face, to recognise that government is not a choice between good and bad policies but most often a search for the least worst option."^[33]

On 31 October 2017, it was announced that Katz was leaving the BBC, and his role as Newsnight editor, for Channel 4 where he became director of programmes in January 2018.^[5][34]

Channel 4

Katz was appointed as Channel 4's Director of Programmes in October 2017 by new Chief Executive Alex Mahon,^[35] effectively replacing outgoing Chief Creative Officer, Jay Hunt who had stepped down earlier in the year. His appointment was greeted with surprise within the television industry.

In his first major speech to the TV industry in May 2018, Katz affirmed his commitment to Channel 4's public service mission, saying the broadcaster's remit was "more important and relevant than ever".^[36] He pledged to "dial up the difference" not he channel, announcing new commissions including Brexit: The Uncivil War, The Big Narstie Show and This Way Up.^[37]

Katz commissioned Russell T Davies' drama about the AIDS pandemic, It's A Sin, described as a "poignant masterpiece"^[38] - with the drama breaking streaming records and driving a surge in people getting tested for HIV.^[39] Other shows commissioned under Katz include Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain, The Dog House, Joe Lycett's Got Your Back, Help, Grayson's Art Club, We Are Lady Parts, The Circle and The Curse. Under Katz, Channel 4 also commissioned Black To Front,^[40] a day of programming which took place in September 2021 and featured only black talent in front of and behind the camera. The initiative was hailed as a "successful kick in the derriere for British television".^[41]

Katz at Channel 4 has secured a number of surprise deals to bring major sporting events to a 'free-to-air' audience. In July 2019, Channel 4 reached agreement with rights holders Sky to air live coverage of England's Cricket World Cup final against New Zealand with 4.5 million viewers watching England's victory.^[42]

Katz was promoted to Chief Content Officer^[43] in January 2020 and given editorial responsibility across Channel 4's linear channels, streaming service, and social media. Channel 4's annual results for 2020 reported growth in streaming on its All 4 service of 26% and a rise in digital revenues of 11% over the same year.^[44]

In November 2019, Channel 4 was accused of breaching impartiality rules by empty-chairing the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a melting block of ice^[45] for its leadership debate on the climate change crisis - though it was subsequently cleared by regulator Ofcom of breaching any of its code on impartiality.^[46] Other controversies include a backlash over Gogglebox star, Scarlett Moffatt's family home being recreated in rural Namibia for factual entertainment show, The British Tribe Next Door.^[47]

Katz launched a review of historic content on the Channel 4 streaming service All 4, after which he announced that in general Channel 4 would seek not to remove or amend content from its archive but would instead include warnings on potentially offensive content.^[48] Katz has overseen the creation of Channel 4's cross-UK commissioning team, with network commissioners established in Leeds, Glasgow and Bristol.^[49]

Katz responded strongly to the possibility of Channel 4 being privatised.^[50] Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival he said that he believed "what is special about the channel would be destroyed".^[51]

Personal life

Katz married Justine Roberts not long before Roberts founded Mumsnet.^[52][53] They had four children and separated in 2019.^[52][54]

References

1. Katz, Ian Alexander. Who's Who. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U58751. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
2. Kanter, Jake (27 January 2021). "UK's Channel 4 Promotes Ian Katz To Chief Content Officer As It Reshuffles For A Streaming-First Future". Deadline. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
3. John Plunkett "BBC appoints Ian Katz and Jamie Angus as Newsnight and Today editors", The Guardian, 16 May 2013.
4. Steve Hewlett "BBC Newsnight should brace for change as Ian Katz takes over", The Guardian, 2 September 2013.
5. "Ian Katz: Newsnight editor to leave for Channel 4". BBC News. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
6. Charlotte Edwardes "To Jeremy Paxman my ideas were ‘preposterous’, ‘infantile’ or ‘completely lamentable’: Ian Katz lifts the lid on Newsnight", Evening Standard, 12 September 2014.
7. Crace, John (23 September 2013). "Is PPE a passport to power – or the ultimate blagger's degree? | Education". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
8. Roy Greenslade Press Gang: How Newspapers Make Profits From Propaganda, London: Macmillan (Pan), 2004, p.487.
9. "Laurence Stern Fellowship at the Washington Post" Archived 7 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine, National Press Foundation
10. "Student Media Conference 2009", The Guardian
11. "Guardian deputy Ian Katz appointed BBC Newsnight editor", Radio Times, 16 May 2013.
12. Melanie Hall "Guardian deputy editor to head up BBC's Newsnight", The Daily Telegraph, 16 May 2013.
13. Ian Katz "Were we right to do this?", The Guardian, 8 January 2003.
14. Kim Fletcher "Gone to press", The Daily Telegraph, 10 January 2003.
15. "Artist sorry for Cilla insult", BBC News, 8 January 2003.
16. Ian Katz "The Last Post", The Guardian, 21 October 2004.
17. Andy Bowers "Dear Limey Assholes ...'/A crazy British plot to swing Ohio to Kerry—and how it backfired", Slate, 4 November 2004.
18. "Did Guardian turn Ohio to Bush?", BBC News, 4 November 2004.
19. Andy McSmith "Ian Katz and the great Clark County stunt" Archived 17 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine, The Independejnt (blog), 16 May 2013.
20. Dominic Ponsford "Ian Katz leaves Guardian to edit Newsnight and Jamie Angus is new Today editor", Press Gazette, 16 May 2013.
21. Responsible, according to Ponsford, for News, Business and Sport, he should not be confused with the former editor of the New Statesman.
22. Laura Oliver "Guardian News & Media names Paul Johnson as deputy editor", Journalism.co.uk, 6 August 2008.
23. Jason Deans "Guardian reorganises editorial executives", The Guardian, 26 March 2010.
24. Mallary Jean Tenore "Guardian deputy editor: ‘It got pretty lonely’ covering News International scandal", Poynter, 13 July 2011.
25. Ian Katz "Israeli Ambassador's Dishonest Attacks on the Guardian Miss the Point", HuffPost, 9 February 2011. It is clear from the links that the American form of rendering a date is being used here.
26. Ian Katz "Pioneering WikiLeaks collaboration ended in distrust and legal threats", The Guardian, 5 February 2011.
27. Peter Wilson "WikiLeaks locked in war of words", The Australian, 20 January 2011.
28. Adam Sherwin "Katharine Viner appointed editor-in-chief of the Guardian", The Independent, 20 March 2015.
29. Peter Preston "Enter Katharine Viner at the Guardian: new editor, old hand", The Observer, 22 March 2015.
30. "Newsnight post is cool for Ian Katz", Evening Standard, 16 May 2013.
31. James Legge "Newsnight guest Rachel Reeves was 'boring snoring', says show's editor Ian Katz on Twitter", The Independent, 10 September 2013.
32. "Newsnight's Ian Katz apologises to Labour over tweet", BBC News, 10 September 2013.
33. Ian Katz "The death of the political interview", Financial Times, 5 September 2014.
34. Brown, Maggie (January 2018). "The challenges facing Ian Katz at Channel 4". Television. Royal Television Society. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
35. "Channel 4 names Newsnight's Ian Katz as director of programmes". The Drum. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
36. "Speech by Ian Katz, Channel 4 Director of Programmes, 16/05/18 | Channel 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
37. "Channel 4 Unveils 2019 Slate: 'Brexit' Drama Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Aisling Bea Comedy 'Happy AF' & More". TVWise. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
38. "It's a Sin review – Russell T Davies has created a masterpiece of poignancy". The Guardian. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
39. "It's A Sin has sparked a surge in HIV testing and a new dawn for awareness". inews.co.uk. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
40. "Channel 4 kickstarts fresh push for greater on and off screen representation with Black Takeover Day | Channel 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
41. Yossman, K. J. (10 September 2021). "Channel 4's 'Black to Front' Initiative Hailed as Successful 'Kick in the Derriere' for British Television". Variety. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
42. Waterson, Jim. "England's World Cup final win hit peak 4.5 million audience on Channel 4". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
43. "Channel 4 reconfigures Exec responsibilities to deliver new Future4 strategy | Channel 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
44. "Channel 4 Annual Report 2020: Record financial surplus and significant digital growth – Channel 4 strongly positioned to deliver future impact for UK | Channel 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
45. "Tories threaten Channel 4 after ice sculpture takes PM's place in debate". The Guardian. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
46. Christian, Bonnie (3 December 2019). "Ofcom rejects Tories' complaint over ice sculpture on Channel 4 debate". Evening Standard. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
47. Yeates, Cydney (22 October 2019). "Scarlett Moffatt defends Channel 4 series building house in African village". Metro. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
48. "Historic Content Review Principles | Channel 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
49. "Channel 4 announces new commissioning appointments | Channel 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
50. "Consultation launched on potential change of ownership of Channel 4". GOV.UK. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
51. Frost, Caroline (24 August 2021). "C4 Content Boss Ian Katz On Privatization: "What Is Special About The Channel Would Be Destroyed" — Edinburgh". Deadline. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
52. Brown, Maggie (July 2018). "The challenges facing Ian Katz at Channel 4". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
53. Rustin, Susanna (4 October 2014). "Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts: 'We could do with all the parties being a bit more feminist'", The Guardian, p33.
54. Smith, Julia Llewellyn (7 January 2023). "Mumsnet founder: 'Our users are deranged when it comes to Meghan'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 7 January 2023.

External links

• Ian Katz on The Guardian
• Ian Katz news and commentary on the Financial Times

Media offices
Preceded by Peter Rippon	Editor: Newsnight 2012–2017	Succeeded by Esmé Wren