Tim Forrest joins ITN as Head of Content Distribution and Commercial Innovation

ITN has announced the appointment today, while ITV has confirmed that Tim Carter is to become Managing Director, of ITV Studios Unscripted, UK…

At ITN Tim Forrest will lead ITN’s news syndication and distribution business, oversee the ITN Archive, and play a central role in shaping the news and production company’s future-facing opportunities, such as through programmatic sales, AI and within the creator economy.

Tim Forrest:

“I’m thrilled to take on this new role at ITN. As the media landscape evolves, we have a huge opportunity to innovate how we distribute and monetise our content globally. From expanding the reach of our archive to exploring AI and programmatic sales, I’m excited to help shape the next chapter of ITN’s commercial growth.”

His remit includes managing and growing relationships with a diverse portfolio of international clients and driving the licensing of on-the-day content, archive footage, and the commercial use of ITN’s broadcast facilities—including live locations, engineering services, and studio operations.

He works closely with a range of high-profile clients including GMB, Channel 7 (Australia), and ZDF (Germany), ensuring ITN’s broadcast facilities and content reach audiences across multiple continents. Over the past six months under his leadership, the ITN Archive has seen significant growth in digital revenue—up 60% year-on-year—driven by longer-form edits and special programming, while new programmatic sales strategies are being explored to further scale distribution through AI-led solutions.

Alongside his co-leads on AI at ITN, Balihar Khalsa, Head of policy and external affairs and  Jon Roberts, Chief Technology Officer, he will continue to explore new commercial opportunities through AI and have oversight of ITN’s commercial partnerships, such as its collaboration with Open Origins.

Since joining ITN in 2013, following roles at the BBC and Sky News, Tim has held a range of editorial and strategic positions in ITV News. He began as an assistant programme editor before moving on to lead coverage of major royal events for the newsroom. Most recently, he has overseen newsroom-wide projects, including the integration of digital workflows and innovation initiatives.

Rachel Corp, CEO of ITN:

“Tim brings an excellent combination of editorial insight and commercial acumen to this role. His leadership has already driven significant innovation across our newsroom and archive operations. As Head of Content Distribution and Commercial Innovation, he will be instrumental in unlocking new opportunities for ITN and ensuring our content continues to reach audiences in powerful and creative ways.”

Meanwhile at ITV Tim Carter is joining the production arm, ITV Studios, in the UK, as Managing Director,  Unscripted.

Currently CEO of ITV Studios’ MultiStory Media and Twofour, Carter takes up the role in the summer from Angela Jain and will assume responsibility for all of ITV Studios’ unscripted business in the UK, which houses 11 unscripted labels, Tim will report directly to Julian Bellamy, Managing Director ITV Studios and will sit on the UK Management Team.

Carter takes on the overall P&L responsibility for the UK unscripted group, with the MDs of the unscripted UK labels reporting directly to him. He will work with each label as well as the wider Studios leadership team to support the continued growth and development of the UK unscripted business.

Julian Bellamy, Managing Director, ITV Studios:

“Angela has been a fantastic leader in ITV Studios for eight years, with a remit that’s spanned some of the UK’s biggest and best factual and entertainment shows… We’ll all miss her hugely, but really look forward to working with her at Disney. Tim’s success during his tenure at MultiStory and TwoFour speaks for itself.  His wealth of experience and knowledge in the unscripted market made him the natural successor to Angela. I’ve no doubt that ITV Studios’ UK unscripted business will go from strength to strength under his leadership” 

Before joining ITV Studios, Tim was CEO of Warner Bros label Twenty Twenty, doubling the size of the company and building hit shows such as First Dates (C4) and The Choir (BBC) into global brands. Tim also pushed Twenty Twenty into scripted, Executive Producing Garrow’s Law (BBC), Privates (BBC) and Traitors (C4). Carter joined ITV Studios in 2017, as Managing Director of MultiStory Media, he led on the rebrand of the company from Shiver, before becoming Chief Executive Officer of  MultiStory Media and sister label Twofour. During his tenure, he has been responsible for a broad portfolio of successful shows.

Whilst at Twofour, the company has transformed its portfolio securing returning commissions including: three series of the multi-award-winning travel series The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy, for Apple TV+;  award-winning, genre defining I Kissed A Boy for BBC Three and Iplayer; the upcoming Destination X for the BBC and NBC and the return of Educating Yorkshire for Channel 4.

Tim Carter:

“What an honour! The ITV Studios’ non-scripted slate reads like a roll-call of the nation’s favourite shows and the breadth and depth of creative and production talent across the group is staggering. I look forward to building on our reputation as the natural home for the brightest and the best as we forge the entertainment of the future.”