Joe Rigby was a television executive who spent 20 years as the head of programme planning at Granada TV in Manchester, where he hired and mentored many successful TV producers and directors.

What was Joe Rigby's background?

Joe Rigby was a working-class Catholic boy from Birmingham who left school at 15 but went on to have a remarkable career in the media industry.

How did Joe Rigby impact the television industry?

As head of programme planning at Granada TV, Joe Rigby played a key role in championing the company's northern identity and securing prominent ITV slots for its programming. He also inspired and nurtured a talented team of scriptwriters who went on to great success.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Pioneering TV Planner Joe Rigby Dies at 87, Inspiring a Generation

Pioneering TV Planner Joe Rigby Dies at 87, Inspiring a Generation

16 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Working-class Catholic boy rose to TV executive at Granada
Hired and nurtured successful TV producers and directors
Played key role in Granada's northern identity and programming

Pioneering TV Planner Joe Rigby Dies at 87, Inspiring a Generation

Joe Rigby, a television executive who played a pivotal role at Granada TV in Manchester, has passed away at the age of 87. Rigby, who hailed from a working-class Catholic family in Birmingham, left school at 15 but went on to have a remarkable career in the media industry.

For 20 years, from 1973 to 1993, Rigby served as Granada's head of programme planning, where he was responsible for hiring, inspiring, and nurturing a talented team of scriptwriters who crafted the on-air promotions for the company's programmes. Many of these writers, including Andy Harries, David Liddiment, and Dearbhla Walsh, went on to achieve great success as television producers and directors.