Airey To Leave Channel Five Sooner Than Expected

Dawn Airey is to leave Channel Five at the end of this week and will not serve the year’s notice specified in her contract.

Her swift departure could be seen as inevitable given the conflict of interest between Channel Five and Sky, and some are speculating that the amicable nature of the split suggests the channel’s owner, RTL, may be considering a possible merger or take-over deal with BSkyB.

Airey was widely believed to be joining ITV, as either chief executive, or as director of channels following the departure of David Liddiment (see Liddiment Quits ITV Director Of Channels Role). However, she changed course at the last minute, taking up an offer to join BSkyB as managing director of Sky Networks (see Airey’s Departure Represents Coup For BSkyB).

Widespread speculation over who will take the role of reversing ITV’s declining audience share has focused on charismatic former Channel 4 chief, Michael Grade. Although some have written this speculation off almost immediately, suggesting that he lacks either the ambition or time, (Grade is currently chairman of three companies Pinewood, Camelot and Hemscott).

However, last summer Grade put himself forward as a contender for the role of director general of the BBC (see Davies Announced As New BBC Chairman), suggesting his willingness to get back to the pressure house of broadcasting. His recent lunch meeting with Granada boss, Charles Allen, added fuel to the rumours, which have been strongly denied by those close to Grade.

Elsewhere, at Channel Five it is expected Airey’s deputy Nick Milligan and programme director Kevin Lygo will enter the running for the top job.

Channel Five: 020 7550 5555 www.channel5.com BSkyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com

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