Global appoints Craig Hunter to lead Global Studios
Global, the Media and Entertainment group, has announced Craig Hunter as Managing Director of its newly launched podcast and digital powerhouse, Global Studios. Craig joins Global from STV Studios, where he has been Creative Director of STV Studios Factual for the past seven years.
Since joining STV Studios as Creative Director in 2019, Craig has extensively broadened the label’s output, transforming it into one of the leading unscripted production houses in the UK, thanks to a wide range of returning brands, factual entertainment series and premium documentaries. Previously, Craig was Lead Commissioning Editor for natural history and specialist factual at the BBC, commissioning programmes such as Blue Planet Live and Inside the Factory.
Craig will lead Global Studios, the home of Global’s award-winning original podcast slate including The News Agents, My Therapist Ghosted Me and new F1 show Up To Speed, which went straight to the top of Apple’s sports podcast rankings when it launched last month. Craig will also oversee Global’s creative partnerships with The Overlap - following the announcement in January that Global had acquired a majority stake in the sports media business founded by Gary Neville - and leading creator network The Fellas Studios which was acquired by Global in October 2025.
Craig will lead both the creative and commercial growth of Global Studios in the UK and internationally, working closely with Global’s Group CEO Simon Pitts and Chief Broadcast & Content Officer James Rea, and joining Global’s Executive Committee.
Simon Pitts, Group CEO, at Global, said: "Craig is an outstanding creative leader and I’m delighted that he’s joining Global to lead the growth of Global Studios. I’ve seen firsthand how effectively Craig leads teams and develops new shows into successful, returning brands and I’m excited that he’ll be bringing that same creativity, expertise and ambition to Global.
“Our vision is that Global Studios becomes a leading international digital content business. It will be the ultimate one-stop-shop for creative talent, combining the biggest podcast shows, across both audio and video, with best-in-class production and market-leading monetisation, all powered by the unrivalled marketing power of Global’s radio, digital and outdoor network.”
Craig Hunter said: “I’ve loved every second of my time at STV Studios and I’m hugely proud of my team and the shows and brands we’ve built together. Now feels like the right time for a new challenge and I’m thrilled to be joining Global Studios at such an exciting moment. I’m excited to be leading one of the industry’s most dynamic digital content businesses and I’m looking forward to working with Simon, James and the talented team at Global to build the next chapter of success.”
James Rea, Global’s Chief Broadcasting & Content Officer, said: "We have fantastic creative talent across Global Studios and Craig, having spent his career building brilliant shows and high-performing teams, has exactly the right energy we need to move it forward. I can’t wait for him to get started.”
About Global Media & Entertainment Limited
Global is one of the world’s leading Media & Entertainment groups. With a huge weekly reach, it is the UK and Europe’s largest Radio & Outdoor company.
Global is home to respected, national, market leading media brands including Capital, Heart, Classic FM, LBC, Global’s Newsroom, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold Radio.
Global Player, the official app for all our brands, is at the core of Global’s content, allowing listeners to enjoy all of Global’s brand content, both audio and video, as well as award-winning podcasts, and expertly-curated playlists, in one place in app, web and smart speakers.
With an extensive and diverse portfolio, Global is also the leading Outdoor company in the UK & one of the largest in Europe with over 235,000 sites reaching 95% of the UK population.
On-air, on Global Player and with our outdoor platforms combined, Global reaches 51 million individuals across the UK every week, including 29 million on the radio alone.
Global created and operates DAX, the market leader in digital audio advertising. Through its proprietary technology, DAX connects advertisers with an audience of more than 130 million people worldwide, inserting targeted advertising into music streaming services, connected radio listening and podcasts, and operates a pioneering platform in programmatic outdoor advertising.
The company headquarters is in London’s iconic Leicester Square. Ashley Tabor-King CBE is Founder & Executive President, Simon Pitts is Group CEO, Stephen Miron is Chairman and James Rea is Chief Broadcasting and Content Officer. Ashley Tabor-King created Global in 2007.
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