Former ITV chief executive Richard Eyre may be in line for the same position at media group EMAP, if reports in this week’s Independent On Sunday are correct.
The paper cites unnamed industry sources as saying that Eyre is in line to replace Kevin Hand who is expected to step down once EMAP’s US business are sold (see
International News).
Eyre recently left his position as director of strategy and content at RTL Group, following the merger of Pearson Television – which he headed – and CLT-Ufa (see Eyre Understood To Have Quit RTL Post).
EMAP is thought to be close to a sale of the USA business, although it is likely to make a loss on the disposal. The value of EMAP USA has been placed at anywhere between £350 million and £600 million. Even at the top end of estimates EMAP will make a considerable loss, given that it paid £720 million for the business, then Petersen, in 1998.
However, the IoS claims that EMAP may be able to drive up the price by selling it off in a number of parts.
EMAP has made no comment on the contents of the article.
