Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
Ben Frow to leave UK network 5 after 14 years
Ben Frow will leave UK television network 5 after 14 years as its chief content officer.
He will step down from his day-to-day role in the summer of 2027 and remain with the company until the end of that year.
5 plans to find a new creative leader to take over his role.
Under Frow, the network built a slate of dramas and factual shows, including *All Creatures Great and Small*.
He also backed a shift away from *Big Brother* toward drama and factual programming.
The change comes during a wider reshaping of the network’s ownership, following Skydance’s merger involving Paramount and Warner Bros.
Discovery.
Frow says he will support a smooth handover before he leaves.
Ben Frow will leave UK broadcaster 5 at the end of 2027 after 14 years with the company.
He will step down from his day-to-day role in summer 2027.
5 President Reemah Sakaan said the network intends to find a new creative leader.
Frow said he had achieved what he wanted at 5 and would support the team through the transition.
During his tenure, 5 backed programmes including All Creatures Great and Small and Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards.
- Who
- Ben Frow, 5’s chief content officer, is leaving the company.
- What
- He will step down from his day-to-day role and leave 5.
- When
- He will step down in summer 2027 and leave at the end of 2027.
- Where
- 5, the UK television network formerly known as Channel 5.
- Why
- Frow said he had achieved everything he wanted to after 14 years and felt it was the right time to hand over.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Frow joined 5, then owned by Richard Desmond.
Frow decided to cancel Big Brother and reinvest the cash in drama and high-end factual content.
5 won BAFTA and Royal Television Society awards for White Nanny, Black Child.
5 was named Channel of the Year at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
Frow is due to step down from his day-to-day role.
Frow is due to leave the company.
- Tenure
- 14 years
- Day-to-day role ends
- Summer 2027
- Company departure
- End of 2027
- Network
- 5, formerly Channel 5
- President
- Reemah Sakaan
2 sources
What people are saying
I have always said that this was the best job in the world, and I’ve absolutely loved my time at 5
But after 14 years where I’ve achieved everything I wanted to and more, it seems like the right time to hand over and give someone else a go.
His exceptional creative skills, obsession with our audience and fiery competitive spirit has led an acclaimed creative transformation of the network and has overseen a phenomenal range of hits.