Debbie Ramsay Appointed as New Editor of 5 News

Debbie Ramsay Appointed as New Editor of 5 News

With an impressive track record in the industry, Ramsay joins the channel from Channel 4, where she served as the Commissioning Editor for News and Current Affairs.

This strategic move comes at a time of growth for 5 News, and Ramsay’s extensive experience and fresh perspective are set to further propel the program’s success.

Debbie Ramsay brings with her a wealth of expertise garnered from her 16-year tenure at the BBC, where she held various senior editorial roles.

Notably, she served as an Executive Editor at BBC News, overseeing the commissioning of original journalism.

Prior to that, Ramsay headed the Youth Journalism division and played key roles at Radio 1 and 1Xtra, leading a large team of journalists to provide news for the BBC’s flagship multi-platform youth outlets.

Her early career in local newspapers and radio stations in the northwest of England, Birmingham, and Capital FM has shaped her well-rounded understanding of the industry.

Expressing her enthusiasm for her new role, Debbie Ramsay stated, “5 News already punches well above its weight, and this is a fantastic opportunity to work with an exceptional team to punch harder. The program has incredible reach out of London and with women, and I hope to tap into my experience of working with harder-to-reach audiences to boost that further.”

Ramsay’s appointment comes at a time of growth for 5 News, as evidenced by the program’s impressive performance in the first quarter of 2023.

With a year-on-year growth rate of 12% among individuals, averaging a 2.9% share and 301,000 viewers, 5 News has clearly struck a chord with its audience.

The upward trajectory continued throughout April and May, with the program’s overall share increasing by 30% compared to the previous year.

This momentum sets a solid foundation for Ramsay to build upon and solidify 5 News as a leading news program in the UK.

Rachel Corp, CEO at ITN, expressed her delight with Ramsay’s appointment, highlighting her ability to produce bold and distinctive content while being passionate about reaching new and underserved audiences.

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This aligns perfectly with the goals of 5 News and ITN as a whole. Corp believes Ramsay will be a tremendous asset to the senior leadership team and eagerly anticipates the impact she will make on the program.

Daniel Pearl, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5, also expressed his excitement about Ramsay’s appointment, emphasizing her stellar reputation in the industry.

He acknowledged the exceptional work of outgoing editor Cait FitzSimons, under whose leadership 5 News was successfully relaunched as an hour-long program.

With Ramsay’s expertise and vision, Pearl believes that 5 News will continue to flourish and attract an even larger audience, bolstered by its unique and distinctive voice.

Debbie Ramsay will assume her role as editor of 5 News later this autumn, taking over from Cait FitzSimons, who served as the program’s editor for an impressive five years.

As Ramsay steps into this new position, viewers can expect fresh perspectives, a stronger emphasis on engaging with the audience, and a continued commitment to covering stories that matter to the viewers the most.

The appointment of Debbie Ramsay as the new editor of 5 News represents an exciting and strategic move by ITN and Channel 5.

With her extensive experience and a vision for the future, Ramsay is poised to lead 5 News to even greater heights, expanding its reach and impact while ensuring its unique voice resonates with a diverse audience.

As viewers, we eagerly await the next chapter of 5 News under Ramsay’s editorship.

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