David Docherty

Agent:  Julian Friedmann

Biography: Thriller writer, now also producing for television.

David Docherty has spent most of his career working in the media: he has variously been Deputy Director of Television and Director of New Media at the BBC, Managing Director of Broadband at cable company Telewest, and Chief Executive of YooPublic, an interactive TV company. He has published three novels, The Spirit Death (which was optioned by ITV), The Killing Jar and The Fifth Season and has been published in five languages. He has also written two plays for children. He is also deeply interested in education, and has served as Chairman of the Board of Governors at the University of Luton. He was a member of the Board of Management of the BBC, a director of the Royal Television Society and served on several government committees on the future of media and technology. David is now CEO of CSC Media Group which owns fourteen TV channels distributed on Sky and on cable.

Read more about David's books. 

1997-1999   

Deputy Director of Television for BBC Broadcast. Continuing responsibility for the direction and management of new services including public service digital channels, commercial services and on-line

1996-1997    

Director of Strategy & Channel Development for BBC Broadcast responsible for strategic development, channel management and scheduling with newly created BBC Broadcast Division: Developing and delivering new channels for BBC: both public and commercial

1996 - 1999 

Member of Media Economics and Media Culture Commissioning Panel

1992-1996   

Head of Television Planning and Strategy BBC Network Television: The Planning and Strategy Department works with the Channel Controllers to commission, schedule and purchase network programmes on BBC1 and BBC: Head of New Services

1995-1996   

Board Director: BARB

1990-1992   

Head of Broadcasting Analysis: BBC Television

1998-1989   

Director of Research: Broadcasting Standards Council

1984-1988   

Research Fellow: Broadcasting Research Unit, London

Scriptwriting:

  • Currently developing a feature film based on his novel DIGITAL MESSIAH

Writing:

  • Has written journalism for Sight
  • and Sound, The Guardian, Screen, The Listener, The Times, Journal of Communications: USA, Media Perspektiven: Germany and Media Information: Australia

Books:

  • DIGITAL MESSIAH (2007)
  • FEAR LESS (2005) 
  • THE FIFTH SEASON (2003, Simon & Schuster)
  • KILLING JAR (2002, Pocket)
  • THE SPIRIT DEATH (2000, Simon & Schuste)
  • VIOLENCE IN TELEVISION FICTION (1991, John Libbey Publications)
  • RUNNING THE SHOW: 21 YEARS OF LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION (1990, Boxtree Publications)
  • KEEPING FAITH? CHANNEL 4 AND ITS AUDIENCE (1988, John Libbey Publications)
  • THE LAST PICTURE SHOW?  BRITAIN'S CHANGING FILM AUDIENCE (1987, BFI Publication)

Research:

  • Research Fellow, Broadcasting Research Unit, London
  • Director of Research at Broadcasting Standards Council
  • BBC TV: Head of Broadcasting Research, Information Service
  • BBC Director of Strategy and Channel Development
  • Hon Fellow, Leeds University