Former Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon and ex-BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore are among the recipients in the 2026 New Year Honours list.
Mahon, who currently heads live entertainment group Superstruct Entertainment after eight years as Channel 4 CEO, was made a CBE for services to broadcasting and diversity. Moore, who took over as CEO of Left Bank Pictures last year, was awarded an OBE for services to public service broadcasting.
Elsewhere, actor Idris Elba was awarded a knighthood for services to young people. Meera Syal, the comedian, writer and actor, known for The Kumars at No 42, becomes a dame for services to literature, drama and charity.
Last of the Summer Wine, Keeping Up Appearances and Open All Hours creator Roy Clarke was given a knighthood for services to entertainment.
Martin Baker, Chief Commercial Affairs Officer and Managing Director of the Paralympics for Channel 4, received an MBE for services to broadcasting.
Former British Film Institute execs Tina McFarling and David Thomas Gurney were also awarded MBEs. McFarling was the BFI’s Head of Strategic Communications until July 2025, while Gurney MBE was Film Laboratory Lead until summer 2025.
Composer Max Richter, whose scores include Waltz With Bashir, Wadjda, and Hamnet, has earned a CBE.
Actor and presenter Warwick Davis received an OBE, as did Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas and presenter and writer Richard Osman.
Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan and football commentator Clive Tyldesley are also appointed OBEs.
Comedian Bill Bailey, actor Sally Lindsay and children's TV star Paul Chuckle are made MBEs. Wicked star Cynthia Erivo becomes an MBE in recognition of her work as an actor, singer, producer, and author.
TV chef Marcus Wareing and Location, Location, Location presenter Phil Spencer also received MBEs.
BFI to invest £11.85m in UK skills funding
The British Film Institute (BFI) has pledged £11.85m funding over three years to support skills development and training across the UK.
Telxius selects Synamedia Quortex Switch
Telxius has integrated its carrier-grade content delivery network (CDN) with Synamedia’s Quortex Switch platform, which the companies say enables content providers to dynamically switch between CDNs in real time for the first time.
Knowledge Network selects ThinkAnalytics
Knowledge Network, British Columbia’s public educational broadcaster and streaming service, has gone live with ThinkMediaAI to give viewers a personalised TV experience underpinned by intelligent search and content recommendations.
Netflix launches first daily live show The Breakfast Club
Netflix will stream US morning radio show The Breakfast Club daily on its platform from 1 June 2026, marking the streamer’s first daily live programme.
ITV launches Live Addressable+ with Omnicom
ITV, the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, has officially launched its live broadcast addressable advertising product, Live Addressable+, with an exclusive beta trial in partnership with Omnicom Media Group.
