BBC Chief To Step Down In 2000

John Birt has decided to step down from his position as director general of the BBC in March 2000, just before his current contract runs out.

It is possible that the corporation may begin seeking external applicants for the post later this year. Names outside the BBC already mentioned in connection with the job include Greg Dyke, chief executive of Pearson Television and Michael Jackson, chief executive of C4 and a former controller of BBC1, while internal candidates are believed to include Tony Hall, head of news and current affairs and Will Wyatt, head of broadcast.

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