BBC Studios’ head of kids and family productions Helen Bullough is stepping down after 11 years with the U.K. broadcaster and will leave her role at some point later this year.
Who is Helen Bullough? Bullough joined the broadcaster in 2011. During her time at the company, she has held several high-ranking positions including head of CBBC Productions, which produces content for the BBC’s children’s television channel. In her most recent role as head of kids and family, she oversaw production of animated series such as JoJo & Gran Gran (pictured at top, left) and Go Jetters, as well as live-action dramas and educational programming.
What are the circumstances of Bullough’s exit? Bullough’s purview changed in April, when her in-house production department was absorbed by the commercial arm of the BBC Studios Kids & Family division under Cecilia Persson. The shift is part of a wider reorganization effort at the BBC towards becoming a “digital-first” broadcaster more in line with contemporary viewing habits. Bullough is the second high-profile children’s exec to leave in recent weeks. Longtime BBC Kids exec Michael Towner, who was famously responsible for Teletubbies, has also exited after 34 years; his role as senior commissioning editor was deemed redundant in the BBC’s new management structure.
