Granada’s Morrison Set To Take Early Retirement

Steve Morrison, chief executive of Granada, is set to take early retirement as a result of the collapse of ITV Digital, according to press reports.

Morrison is currently working with Carlton chief executive, Gerry Murphy, to recruit a new chief executive for the ITV Network following the resignation of Stuart Prebble in May (see Prebble Steps Down From ITV). A report in yesterday’s Sunday Times suggests that Morrison will step down once a replacement for Prebble has been found.

According to the report, Granada chairman, Charles Allen, is also coming under pressure from shareholders to resign due to his part in the collapse of ITV Digital (see Administrators Confirm ITV Digital Sale) and the subsequent award of the digital terrestrial TV licence to the BBC/BSkyB consortium (see Free To Air Application Wins DTT Battle).

Speculation suggests that shareholders have lost confidence in Allen due to the amount of money that Carlton and Granada invested in ITV Digital.

Last week Carlton and Granada won their High Court case against the Football League, which alleged that the ITV partners were liable for the £178.5 million owed from a three-year broadcasting deal (see League Loses ITV Digital Battle).

Carlton: 020 7663 6363 www.carlton.com Granada: 020 7620 1620 www.granadamedia.com

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