Brian Tesler CBE | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 19 February 1929 |
| Died | 30 October 2024 (aged 95) |
| Alma mater | Exeter College, Oxford |
| Occupations | Television producer and executive |
| Years active | 1952–1994 |
| Spouse |
Audrey Maclean
(m. 1959; died 2008) |
| Children | 1 |
Brian Tesler, CBE (19 February 1929 – 30 October 2024) was a British television entertainment producer and senior executive. His career encompassed British television's post-war evolution from a single-channel BBC to the arrival of multiple terrestrial, satellite and cable channels in the 1990s. After experience in radio presentation with the British Forces Broadcasting Service in the 1940s he began in television as a light entertainment producer and director for BBC Television in 1952, producing mainly panel shows before gaining experience and working his way upwards to producing larger and more significant programmes. He moved to Britain's fledgling independent commercial television service ITV in 1957, joining Associated Television (ATV), who held the franchise for weekends in London. Here he took over ITV's biggest variety show, Sunday Night at the London Palladium.
In 1960 Tesler moved into executive management by becoming Supervisor of Features and Light Entertainment at ABC Weekend TV which provided commercial television for the North of England and the Midlands. Tesler was promoted to be ABC's Programme Controller in 1962 and two years later Director of Programmes. In 1968 he became Director of Programmes at Thames Television which provided weekday programmes in London.
In 1974 Tesler was invited to become Deputy Managing Director of London Weekend Television (LWT) and in 1976 he became LWT's Chief Executive. He resigned in 1990, remaining deputy chairman until his retirement from television in 1994.