Have you met Head of Popular Factual, Sarah Thornton?
Off the back of The Project’s Logie Award wins, we chat to Sarah Thornton about the importance of inclusion in factual programming.
How long have you been with Paramount and what does your job entail?
Since 2018 when I moved home from the UK.
Broadly speaking, I look after factual commissions for Network 10 and Paramount+ managing the factual programming team. The factual team is a team of two Executive Producers – myself and Ciaran Flannery – plus the in-house production team for The Dog House.
Which shows are you looking after and do you have a favourite?
The factual slate includes – The Project, Couples Therapy, The Bridge, The Dog House, Traitors and Would I Lie To You?, among others.
Like children I cannot pick favourites, but on some days I do give more attention to one show over others (and some are more needy!).
Currently I’m very excited to see what happens when Couples Therapy launches – it’s a very unique show and was a privilege to work on.
How important is inclusion to making factual programming?
Inclusion is essential in all programming in my opinion – both on screen and behind the scenes – and shows are better for it.
I’m so glad we work at a company that supports this, as I’m personally passionate about representation in the media.
I’m honoured to be on the PROUD committee here at Paramount.
What has been the proudest moment in your career at Paramount?
The Logies win on Sunday felt like a great recognition of the hard work of The Project team over the last few years.
I’m so grateful to the entire team for their hard work and dedication and I hope they are all very proud of the awards.
I’m also proud of The Dog House – it’s awesome that feel-good television is being so well received by viewers.
Also very excited about our first simulcast with NITV – The First Inventors.
What’s your favourite show across Network 10 and Paramount+?
I’m an original die-hard MasterChef fan. Must-watches for me are Have You Been Paying Attention? and Gogglebox. Five Bedrooms is brilliant, and I loved Yellow Jackets on Paramount+.
