TLC appoints UKTV exec as UK channel head

Discovery Networks UK and Ireland has appointed former UKTV executive Clare Laycock as channel head for its flagship entertainment network TLC.

Laycock joins from UKTV where she was general manager and channel head of Really, Home and Good Food.

She will lead the strategic development of TLC, which launched in the UK in April 2013 and now claims to be the ninth ranking pay TV entertainment channel for women in the UK.

“TLC exploded onto the UK TV landscape one year ago. It has had a strong start and is continuing to challenge the status quo amongst other entertainment brands. Clare’s appointment as head of TLC will help us to focus further on building TLC at the heart of the television landscape.  Clare brings fantastic experience of building entertainment channel brands and has an impressive track record,” said Susanna Dinnage, executive vice-president and managing director of Discovery Networks UK and Ireland.

Laycock was at UKTV for six years and led the rebrand of Really from a pay TV lifestyle channel to a free-to-air entertainment brand.

Prior to that she was head of campaigns for BBC Learning from 2006 to 2008 and before this held various roles at Discovery for 14 years from 1992 to 2006.