Tony Ball now favourite for ITV top job

ITV is understood to be on the verge of appointing former head of BSkyB Tony Ball as its new chief executive.

According to reports, ITV is pursuing negotiations with Ball following the withdrawal of HMV chief executive Simon Fox this month.

The Guardian claims that if Ball is appointed it could see a major shake-up of ITV senior management, with the broadcaster’s director of television and online, Peter Fincham, making a play to become chief executive of Channel 4.

Current Channel 4 chief exec Andy Duncan is likely to leave the channel by the end of the year, it emerged at the weekend, and it is thought that Fincham would not stay on at ITV if Ball is appointed.

Following the appointment of the new chief executive at ITV, current chief exec Sir Michael Grade will carry on as non-executive chairman. However, it is believed that some board members are questioning Ball’s ability to work with him.

Other names in the frame for the ITV job include  Apple Europe chief Pascal Cagni and ITV’s chief operating officer John Cresswell.