Netflix UK is creating a dedicated team for live and unscripted programming.
The team is being led by The Circle producer Daisy Lilley, who has brought on Claire Horton on a fixed-term contract. Horton, a well-regarded unscripted executive, has served as executive producer on shows such as The Masked Singer UK, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, and All Together Now.
Netflix aims to explore a variety of content opportunities, ranging from live sports and event shows to talent competitions. Recent examples of relevant projects include Skyscraper Live and Building the Band, both of which were originally commissioned from the US but produced by UK-based companies. Lilley’s team is preparing to stream the upcoming boxing match between Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Netflix.
Live and “shiny floor” formats are becoming a central focus for Netflix UK’s unscripted team, which is also responsible for popular shows like Too Hot to Handle, The Circle, and Celebrity Bear Hunt. The team will soon welcome a new leader, Syeda Irtizaali, who is moving from the BBC where she served as commissioner for The Traitors, taking over from former head Ben Kelly.
