An award winning producer is to become the new head of commissioning at BBC Scotland and in charge of launching its new digital channel.
Steve Carson has been appointed as Head of Multi-Platform Commissioning at the broadcaster.
Carson, a former director of programmes for RTÉ Television in Ireland, will take over the role held by Ewan Angus, the long-time executive who is to leave BBC Scotland next month.
Mr Carson will be in charge of BBC Scotland's output on television, radio and online, and will be responsible for the launch of the new BBC Scotland channel, which is due to start broadcasting next autumn.
The new channel will have an hour long news bulletin, with national and international news, between 9pm and 10pm.
He will also be involved in the launch of an additional music radio station in Scotland.
Carson said: "I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with content-makers across all our services to make the most of the significant new investment for audiences in Scotland."
BBC Scotland's director, Donalda MacKinnon, said: “The next few years will be a fantastic time to work in broadcasting here and I know Steve shares my ambitions to bring great content for audiences in Scotland and across the UK that they will love.
"He’s very passionate about creating programmes that both entertain and educate and I know he’ll engender that passion in our staff too."
Carson was brought up and educated in Northern Ireland and graduated from the University of Manchester, after which he joined the BBC in a variety of roles.
His work included being producer/director on BBC flagship programmes including Newsnight, Spotlight and Panorama.
He is married to the RTE broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan.
Carson returned to Ireland in 1997 and later established the independent production company, Mint Productions, which worked with broadcasters in the UK and Ireland.
His awards as a programme-maker include those from the Royal Television Society and the Irish Film and Television Academy.
In February 2009, he was appointed as Director of Programmes, RTÉ Television, where he commissioned in-house and independently made content across all non-News and sport genres on RTE One and Two.
He rejoined the BBC in 2013 as BBC Northern Ireland’s Head of Productions before becoming Head of Content Production this year.
A former vice-president of the European Broadcasting Union’s Television Committee and currently the chair of the RTS Northern Ireland.
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