One More Thing:Ben Frow, TV3's newly appointed head of programming, promises to be a breath of fresh air at the Ballymount-based studios in more ways than one. Frow is moving to Ireland from Britain, where he has worked for Five, Channel 4, GMTV and the BBC.
On joining Five, Britain's smallest terrestrial channel, in early 2004, Frow had the walls of his office painted, brought in some funky furniture and got permission from the station's bosses to light a scented candle.
In an interview with Guardian Media three years ago, Frow said fire regulations meant he had to supply samples of the candle he wanted to use before being granted dispensation to light up. "Everyone has to work very hard to make me feel at home," Frow told the Guardian.
Frow's appointment raised some eyebrows across the Irish Sea. Just two years ago, he is reported to have turned down an offer from the BBC to head up its factual features team. A lucrative bonus tying him to Five at the time was given as the reason for him staying put.
He was also rumoured to be in the running to become controller for Living TV, a leading digital general entertainment channel, and to have had an offer of daytime controller for BBC1.
Frow (45) parted company with Five in February. Ratings at the station have been flagging and a number of senior executives at the station have moved on.
He earned the nickname "Mr Property" during his time with Channel 4, where he inspired programming such as Relocation, Relocation, Property Ladder and How Clean is Your House?.
At Five, he helped to create and launch the likes of Diet Doctors, How To Be A Property Developer, Build A New Life In The Country, Colin and Justin's How Not To Decorate, The Farm and Cosmetic Surgery . . . Live.
This could be just the type of programming that appeals to regular watchers of TV3.
As a Buddhist, Frow told the Guardian that he believed in cause and effect. "If I fiddle my expenses, then later I will get overcharged in a shop," he said.
We wonder what that tells us about his appointment with TV3?
