Programme Planner, TLC Turkey

Position Title:  Programme Planner, TLC Turkey

Division:          Emerging Business region, CEEMEA

Department:    Emerging Business, Turkey Channel Team

Reports to:      Senior Channel Manager, Channel Head

Location:         Istanbul

General Summary:

The successful candidate will plan the programming schedule for TLC Turkey, Discovery’s flagship free to air entertainment channel, plus support on one of our Turkish pay TV channels. The planer will work closely with the Senior Channel Manager and wider channel team, to devise schedules that will rate highly and appeal to viewers and advertising clients.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop the long range & monthly programme strategy and schedules for TLC (and potentially another pay channel); taking into account ratings, commercial minutage requirements, client needs and RTUK regulations.
• Liaise with Research to develop a full understanding of ratings information and impact on the schedule. Be strategic and competitive to ensure we’re constantly growing ratings and out performing our free to air and pay competitors.
• Understand competitor channels and market influences and their impact on the feeds.
• Build knowledge of programming library and how best to utilize programme assets.
• Communicate strategy and schedules internally and to support Senior Channel Manager on communicating the strategy to ad sales clients etc.
• Working closely with marketing, digital and on air teams to create a schedule that grows ratings and gives fantastic marketing/PR and additional ad sales opportunities.
• Liaise with the programming team in Istanbul and London plus other regional planners to ensure strategies are devised that meet goals; technical issues are overcome and programmes are premiered and promoted effectively.
• Be the ambassador for TLC with passion, enthusiasm and brand knowledge… to ensure it is the #1 international FTA entertainment brand in Turkey.
• Input the programme schedules into the IBMS database.
• Ensure any necessary schedule changes are made and communicate these with affected internal and external stakeholders.
• To work closely with the wider Emerging Business channel team – including marketing, PR, creative on air and media planning to ensure that TLC’s programme strategy fits with wider strategy.

• Ideally minimum 4-5 years’ experience in a broadcast environment, preferably within a planning or programming department for a free to air or commercial entertainment broadcaster.
• Good understanding of TV business and audience trends in Turkey including ideally RTUK regulations.
• Passion for entertainment programming, scripted and non-scripted and a knowledge of the US studio landscape is ideal.
• IT competence: Able to learn how to use IBMS scheduling system, Microsoft Office and other systems quickly.
• Good time management/planning/delivery.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills – a great communicator. Concise and confident.
• Fluent in Turkish and English.
• Self starter/works well without immediate supervision.