Alison Sharman
Encyclopedia
Alison Sharman born in Manchester is the director of factual, children's and daytime at ITV
.
She was previously controller of CBBC
, with overall responsibility for BBC
children's programmes, including acquisitions, commissions and CBBC online. She had a long career at the BBC and had been head of BBC daytime programming from 2002 until taking up the new position on 20 June 2005.
Shortly after becoming controller of CBBC, Sharman made clear her belief - given that the TV license fee
is universal - in the need to reach out and connect with all sections of society. "Above all," she said, "we must always keep a respectful focus upon two of the core needs of children: first, the need to understand and express something of their deep inner world. And secondly, the need to understand their place in - and relationship to - the outer world, from their immediate family to the wider society."
Sharman introduced a popular new children's sports news programme on Saturday mornings called Sportsround
, and commissioned bold new dramas for CBBC. She also brought back a beloved story based programme called Jackanory
.
Sharman left to join ITV as Director of Daytime Factual and Children's in 2005. Sharman has introduced Saturday morning adult shows to the weekend, ending a long legacy of Saturday morning children's programmes, heralding a new audience profile to the weekends.
In Spring 2006, Sharman negotiated a deal to poach Antony Worrall Thompson
from the BBC
where he had been presenting Saturday Kitchen
, and bring him to ITV
to present Saturday Cooks! in practically the same timeslot.
In 2007 Sharman was considered a candidate for the next Controller of BBC1. She ruled herself out.
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
.
She was previously controller of CBBC
CBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
, with overall responsibility for BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
children's programmes, including acquisitions, commissions and CBBC online. She had a long career at the BBC and had been head of BBC daytime programming from 2002 until taking up the new position on 20 June 2005.
Shortly after becoming controller of CBBC, Sharman made clear her belief - given that the TV license fee
License fee
License fee may mean:*a fee paid for a license in general*a fee paid for a television licence...
is universal - in the need to reach out and connect with all sections of society. "Above all," she said, "we must always keep a respectful focus upon two of the core needs of children: first, the need to understand and express something of their deep inner world. And secondly, the need to understand their place in - and relationship to - the outer world, from their immediate family to the wider society."
Sharman introduced a popular new children's sports news programme on Saturday mornings called Sportsround
Sportsround
Sportsround was a weekly spin-off from CBBC children's news programme Newsround. The sports magazine show was broadcast Friday evenings at 6:30pm on CBBC Channel and on Saturday mornings on BBC Two at 7.25am....
, and commissioned bold new dramas for CBBC. She also brought back a beloved story based programme called Jackanory
Jackanory
Jackanory is a long-running BBC children's television series that was designed to stimulate an interest in reading. The show was first transmitted on 13 December 1965, the first story being the fairy-tale Cap o' Rushes read by Lee Montague. Jackanory continued to be broadcast until 24 March 1996,...
.
Sharman left to join ITV as Director of Daytime Factual and Children's in 2005. Sharman has introduced Saturday morning adult shows to the weekend, ending a long legacy of Saturday morning children's programmes, heralding a new audience profile to the weekends.
In Spring 2006, Sharman negotiated a deal to poach Antony Worrall Thompson
Antony Worrall Thompson
Henry Antony Cardew Worrall Thompson is a British celebrity chef, television presenter and radio broadcaster.-Biography:...
from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
where he had been presenting Saturday Kitchen
Saturday Kitchen
Saturday Kitchen Live is a 90 minute cookery programme, which is broadcast live on BBC One on Saturday mornings. It is currently presented by James Martin; previous presenters have included Antony Worrall Thompson and Gregg Wallace. The programme is currently produced by Cactus TV...
, and bring him to ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
to present Saturday Cooks! in practically the same timeslot.
In 2007 Sharman was considered a candidate for the next Controller of BBC1. She ruled herself out.