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Stephen Peters named head of development at WTFN

Stephen Peters

Stephen Peters has been appointed head of development at WTFN after working with the company for nearly a year as a contracted consultant.

Peters is an executive producer on WTFN obs-doc series Sydney Harbour Force, which is being produced for Discovery Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

His other EP credits include Nine Network programs True Medical, Inside Crime, Australian Survivor, and Fremantle’s Australian Idol.

Peters also worked as head of television at Eyeworks, where he managed series such as Kalgoorlie Cops and Gangs of Oz, and spent three years as head of development at Endemol Southern Star.  

In his new role, he will be responsible for expanding WTFN’s development slate by creating more returning documentary and access series – such as Paramedics and Bondi Vet – as well as branching out into new factual genres. 

Peters said his prior knowledge of working with the company meant he “didn’t hesitate” to accept the new role.

“Daryl and co-founder Steve Oemcke have built a terrific company, underpinned by an authentic feeling of constant forward momentum,” he said. “They are very open to new ideas and different ways of doing things, so I am genuinely excited by the opportunities this new challenge brings.”

His appointment comes at a time when WTFN’s production output has more than doubled from under 40 hours in 2019 to more than 80 hours already commissioned for this year.

The company has also moved to expand its relationships with domestic and international broadcasters and launched two new business streams alongside distributor Fred Media.

WTFN Be is a branded content and social channels company, while Empire Talent is a boutique talent management agency, representing high-profile media personalities and influencers from Australia and around the world.

WTFN CEO Daryl Talbot said the company was delighted to have Peters on board as a permanent member of the senior team.

“Our expansion and increased output in the past year is testament to a talented and dedicated team but now, with Stephen adding his tremendous experience, and charged with increasing our content pipeline, we are hoping to turbo-charge this growth trajectory and bring more hours and even more fresh new program ideas to the market,” he said.