The BBC has appointed Nick Lee as its new Head of Acquisitions, entrusting him with the responsibility of securing TV series and feature films for BBC iPlayer as well as the broadcaster’s portfolio of television channels. Lee will assume his new role in November 2025.

According to a BBC announcement, Lee will lead the acquisitions strategy to ensure BBC audiences have access to a wide range of quality programming. His remit will cover both scripted and unscripted series alongside feature films, further strengthening the BBC’s position as a key UK player in the global content market.

Lee moves into the role from BBC Studios, where he served as Commercial Director of Scripted and was instrumental in investments across projects such as Tommy and Tuppence, Mint, 2026, and The Detection Club. Prior to that, during his tenure as Head of Acquisitions and International at Channel 4, he reshaped the broadcaster’s strategy and secured high-profile titles including The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo, and The Great. He also pioneered initiatives like True Crime on 4 and drove significant growth in the VOD catalogue.

His appointment comes as Sue Deeks, the BBC’s long-serving Head of Programme Acquisitions, transitions to a new part-time role as Head of Pre-Buy Acquisitions.

Dan McGolpin, Director of iPlayer and Channels at the BBC, said Lee’s experience and deal-making skills will be invaluable: “Nick is a highly experienced dealmaker with a keen eye for spotting compelling TV from around the world, and I’m really excited that we’ll be getting the benefit of his great energy and know-how in leading the Programme Acquisition team.”

Responding to his appointment, Lee said the role feels like a “vocational calling”: “To be acquiring for the BBC, shaping the market with this team and working with the inimitable Sue Deeks is completely exhilarating.”

The BBC has a long track record of bringing acclaimed acquired shows to British audiences, including ‘Killing Eve’, ‘The Bridge’, ‘Colin From Accounts’, and ‘The Americas’, while remaining the UK’s largest commissioner of original programming.