A source told The Guardian that “he wanted to go out at a time that was right for the BBC and to allow a new director of television to be appointed before Hall decides where to implement the cuts he is due to announce before the end of the year”.
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As director of television, Cohen has been responsible for all of the BBC’s television networks as well as the commissioning of the BBC’s drama, entertainment, comedy and factual programmes.
“After eight wonderful years at the BBC, it is time for my next big challenge”, he said in sharing the news. He also oversaw the creative decision-making concerning BBC iPlayer, the broadcaster’s streaming service, and the BBC’s movie production arm, BBC Films. “I feel very privileged to have led Television for the world’s finest public service broadcaster and to have worked with so many smart and talented people”, he said.
Controller of Entertainment Commissioning, Mark Linsey, will take on Danny’s responsibilities the role is filled.
Mr Cohen’s name was also bandied about this summer when a letter, signed by several high-profile celebrities, was sent to David Cameron ahead of the publication of a green paper launching the 10-yearly review of the BBC’s Royal Charter. He also commissioned popular shows including Happy Valley, Poldark, Last Tango In Halifax. In the last few days, BBC One enjoyed Super Wednesday, with 15 million people tuning in to The Great British Bake-Off and 8 million viewers watching the finale of new drama Doctor Foster.
I have had a number of offers from the USA and United Kingdom over the last few months, so rather than unsettle my teams here, I decided it’s fairer and more honorable to consider these offers.
“I think that folks will strive and examine BBC domestic hard products with it but it’s really trouble-free – I’ll just use experienced a marvelous moment here for eight years and I’m just up for the following thing”, he explained.
Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman said Cohen had “been a brilliant creative leader of BBC Television”, while actor and presenter James Corden said: “Danny has been instrumental in my development as both a person and a performer”.
He added: “There has never been a more exciting time for television and digital media”.
He said: ‘Danny has done an extraordinary job over the last eight years at the BBC’.
When he became director of television in 2013, Cohen, a former pupil of the Rosh Pinah Primary School in north-west London, was tipped as a future director general.
‘It’s a very odd organisation when people who work for it can’t speak up on its behalf’. There he held roles such as head of youth-skewing channel E4 and head of documentaries. His commissions included Skins, The Inbetweeners, Fonejacker, Supernanny and the documentary strand Cutting Edge.
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The company is now funded by a licence fee of up to 145.50 pounds ($221) for every household in the United Kingdom that owns a television.
