CBC Television today announced that Tom Hastings has been appointed head of drama for the network, effective immediately. Hastings replaces and reports to Sally Catto, who was recently appointed to her new role as executive director of arts and entertainment, CBC Television, by CBC-TV’s general manager Kirstine Stewart.

“Tom has a keen understanding of the value of thoughtful, engaging dramatic programming to our audiences and our network,” said Catto. “His knowledge and expertise in managing the creative development and production of some of this country’s most successful dramas ideally suit him to this new role.”

Hastings joined the CBC drama department in 2007 as executive in charge of production. With over 12 years of successful television and documentary production experience behind him, including six years as production executive at Alliance Atlantis and manager of research at National Geographic Channel Canada, he is a seasoned content executive with extensive relationships in Canada’s independent production and literary communities and a proven track record managing Canadian and international productions.

Previously, Hastings worked as an award-winning producer and a writer in the Canadian independent production community, and has written documentaries for National Geographic Channels International, Discovery Channel and History Television. He also holds a doctorate degree, having obtained his Ph.D. in English Literature and is a specialist in Canadian and Commonwealth literatures with numerous publications in those fields, including a book-length study of Canadian fiction of the First World War.