Paul Franklin is re-joining Shine Australia early next year in the newly-created role of director of content.
Starting in February, he will oversee part of Shine’s unscripted and scripted programming, working alongside director of programming Peter Newman.
Shine Australia has not yet specified how Franklin and Newman will divide responsibility for the company’s burgeoning slate. But it’s considered likely that Franklin will take charge of The Voice and The Voice: Kids, which had been overseen by Julie Ward, who confirmed in August she was departing as director of entertainment.
For the past two and a half years Franklin has served as executive VP, programming, for Shine America, where he helped launch the unscripted programming department.
As executive producer he oversaw a raft of shows including MasterChef and MasterChef Junior (Fox), The Biggest Loser (NBC), The Face (Oxygen), Tabatha Takes Over (Bravo), Minute To Win It (GSN), Restaurant Startup (CNBC) and Fake-Off (TruTv).
Franklin, who was Shine Australia's head of programming from 2010-2012, will report to CEOs Mark Fennessy and Carl Fennessy.
From 2005-2009 he was head of factual programming for Fremantle Media Australia, where he oversaw the original launches of MasterChef, The Biggest Loser, Farmer Wants A Wife and The Apprentice.