Discovery Networks International named production veteran Ed Sayer to its created team, as vice president, production and development, factual. Based at DNI’s London production hub, Sayer will report to executive vice president and chief creative officer Phil Craig.
Sayer is a 20-year television creative executive who has worked for some of the top networks and content providers in the world, including the BBC, ITV Studios and has led numerous creative and ratings success and has been responsible for hundreds of hours of content. In his new role at Discovery, Sayer will oversee, commission and create factual content with a team of producers, including series in genres like popular science, engineering, automotive, and survival.
“It’s a really exciting time for Ed to join Discovery Networks International, and we're thrilled to have him,” Craig said in a statement. “We're facing the future with great confidence, commissioning some compelling new content and developing a strategy across a wide range of factual genes that will both engage current audiences and reach out to new viewers. Ed will bring a fresh voice, unique vision and unbridled energy to commissioning content that resonates around the globe. Between his deep relationships in the production community and his keen eye for spotting new and emerging talent, Ed is a storyteller like no other.”
Sayer was most recently at National Geographic, where he commissioned and executive produced some of the channels most recent successes – including Science of Stupid, Ultimate Airport Dubai, Air Crash Investigation and T.rex Autopsy. At ITV Studios, he created and looked after some of their biggest series including Cops With Cameras, Britain’s Best Dish and Best Dish: The Chefs. As a BBC Development Exec and then Head of Entertainment Development at BBC Scotland, Sayer helped develop shows such as Young Doctors as well as several game shows and single documentaries for the network.
“Discovery’s brand is iconic, and it’s with a healthy dose of humility and excitement I join the team that’s behind many amazing television milestones,” Sayer said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to partnering with Phil Craig and Discovery’s worldwide and world-class producers to make noise and great television.”
