RDF Televisión’s Jim Allen to step down from his role as Managing Director

The executive responsible for putting together a successful programming slate for the Banijay-owned company will resume his tasks until the end of year, at which time he will be replaced with an executive who has yet to be determined.

3 SEP 2021

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Banijay-owned  RDF Television's Managing Director Jim Allen confirmed plans to step down from his position following a 12-year tenure. “For over a decade, Jim has been a central part of the Banijay business,” Marco Bassetti, Banijay CEO, said. “Alongside bringing many a laugh to a boardroom and being renowned globally for his ‘that’s not a format’ remarks, he was the brains behind a number of our break-out hits and travelling titles, which remain firmly in our catalogue today.”

Allen will work until the end of the year. A replacement has not yet been announced. The executive joined RDF in 2009 contributing to ITV Studios as Director of factual and entertainment for six years. He has crafted a popular programming slate that includes "I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!," "Love Island," "Dancing on Ice," "Hell’s Kitchen," "Come Dine With Me," "Piers Morgan’s Life Stories" and "The Chase." “I’m really proud of what the team has achieved and built," Allen said in a statement. "But I’d now like a working life slightly freer from the vice-like grip of those seemingly innocent sounding acronyms EBITDA and BARB."

At RDF, he has overseen production for  "The Secret Life of 4-, 5- and 6-Year-Olds" for Channel 4, "Tipping Point" for ITV, "Eat Well For Less?" for BBC1, "Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents" for BBC3, "12 Puppies and Us" for BBC2, "How to Spend It Well" for ITV, "Dickinson’s Real Deal" for ITV, and various other titles.

In 2015, Allen played a large role in the launch of entertainment label Fizz alongside Creative Director Neale Simpson, where he led many key factual productions. “I’m looking forward to mixing TV work and outside interests in what I’m reliably informed is a portfolio career," he said. "I’d like to thank fulsomely all of my colleagues and friends for their skill, support, forbearance, and undying commitment to the cause.” 

For over a decade, Jim has been a central part of the Banijay business. Alongside bringing many a laugh to a boardroom and being renowned globally for his ‘that’s not a format’ remarks, he was the brains behind a number of our break-out hits and travelling titles, which remain firmly in our catalogue today.” Marco Bassetti CEO, Banijay