CBC documentary majordomo Mark Starowicz has assumed a seat at CBC's senior management table, from which he will acquire and air more factual programming across multiple platforms.

Named to the newly created position of executive director of documentary programming, Starowicz will both commission independent documentaries ­- especially science programming - and continue making high-profile films as head of the CBC's documentary unit.

In explaining Starowicz's promotion, CBC TV head Richard Stursberg cited "exponential" audience growth in documentary viewing.

"I'm especially pleased that the first person to occupy this position is one of our finest programmers and most distinguished public broadcasters," Stursberg said.

Starowicz, who was not available for comment, will work alongside other senior CBC managers such as news head Tony Burman, sports boss Nancy Lee and newly installed arts and entertainment executive director Fred Fuchs to steer the CBC in its new quest for bigger audiences.

Over a three-decade career, Starowicz regularly trumped his competitors, creating landmark radio and TV series including As It Happens and The Journal, and later producing a string of high-profile documentary series for the CBC, including Canada: A People's History and the forthcoming Hockey: A People's History.