RTÉ has announced the appointment of Alan Tyler as Group Head of Entertainment and Music. Alan is describes as "a highly successful senior creative leader with over 20 year’s experience in the BBC and the independent sector."

In his career to date, Alan has built an extensive CV in development, production, commissioning and management, in a variety of leadership roles in both the independent sector and at the BBC – across entertainment, comedy and events.

He was Executive Editor, and latterly Acting Controller, of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, with responsibility for a huge range of award winning shows on different channels. These included ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, ‘Michael McIntyre’s Big Show’, ‘All Round To Mrs Brown’s’, ‘Live at The Apollo’, ‘Comic Relief’ and ‘The Mobo Awards’, amongst many others. Most recently Alan has been developing and executive-producing projects both through his own company, North by NorthNorth Media, and with other independent production companies.

Alan will take up the role as Group Head of Entertainment and Music during the month of May, and will have overall responsibility for the development of RTÉ’s entertainment and music genre. He will work closely with the Director of Content and Deputy Director of Content and in partnership with the independent production sector, commissioning content across the genre.

Key Responsibilities for the role were set out in ads for the job by RTÉ. Those listed included the following:

– All matters concerning entertainment and music output across all of RTÉ’s platforms, leading and co-ordinating all efforts to ensure RTÉ maximises the impact of the unique range of entertainment and music content that RTÉ offers its audiences
– Origination, development and delivery of all entertainment and music programming through a combination of RTÉ’s in-house, commissioning through independent producers and through the securing of co-production arrangements with other broadcasters and/or funders
– Help to maximise RTÉ share of audience in all areas, delivering programming of the highest editorial quality while maintaining public service remit
– Developing new, innovative and creative solutions to business challenges
– Assess and oversee the internal production processes, ensuring an infrastructure that facilitates a creative environment and timely delivery of projects
– Provide creative and collaborative leadership across the entertainment and music genre
– Manage resources in accordance with the annual programme and business plan and agreed performance measures
– Prepare, monitor and control entertainment and music programme production schedule, budget and people plan
– Reflect a more diverse society in entertainment and music content
– Source and develop new on-air talent and off-air talent
– Assist RTÉ in devising company policy and strategy documents in a pro-active way, to reflect Ireland’s changing demographics and the changes in audiences trends

“Entertainment and music create powerful connections with our audience,” RTÉ Director of Content, Jim Jennings said, "and RTÉ is committed to delivering the very best of both. Alan has the vision, a really strong record of creative leadership and great industry experience that I’m sure will enhance our output and deliver on our ongoing ambition to serve audiences with the very best Irish entertainment and music.”

“RTÉ is an exceptional broadcaster,” Alan Tyler, said, "with an enviable portfolio of talent, content and channels. It is a privilege to be joining the team, especially at a moment when we are set to drive a search for a whole new generation of original content for our audiences.

"I truly believe that ambitious Entertainment and music formats can play a key role in building an unbreakable bond with both viewers and listeners. I am incredibly excited about the opportunity that brings to the creative sector and I cannot wait to get started.”