Alan Hart

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Who is Alan Hart?

Alan Hart is a former British television executive, who from 1981 to 1984 was the Controller of BBC One. His initial career was in the BBC sports department, and he rose through the ranks to become the Head of Sport in the late 1970s. In 1981, BBC One Controller Bill Cotton was promoted, and Hart was chosen to succeed him.

As channel Controller, Hart was responsible for managing the direction, content and commissioning of programmes on the BBC's premier television station.

Although his period in charge of BBC1 is still fondly regarded by television enthusiasts, his tenure was not generally regarded as one of the most successful in the BBC’s history, largely because of the huge success enjoyed by ITV drama during that period. However, it was Hart who greenlit BBC1's first all-year round twice-weekly drama in modern times, EastEnders, which became a runaway success even though Hart had moved on by the time in began broadcasting in 1985.

One of Hart’s early decisions in the role was taking Doctor Who off its traditional early evening Saturday slot, and giving it an early evening, twice-weekly slot, beginning in 1982. Hart also green-lit a 90 minute special to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary, which became The Five Doctors and was broadcast as part of Children in Need.

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Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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