Baker To Replace Ramsden As Controller Of Sky One
BSkyB has today confirmed that James Baker is to replace Sara Ramsden as controller of Sky One following her decision to step down after less than a year in the job.
Baker has been at Sky One since 1996 and is currently head of content and creative affairs at the satellite television group. He was also charged with running Sky One for several years in the late nineties.
Baker’s appointment follows yesterday’s surprise announcement that Ramsden is to depart the broadcaster barely six months after Sky Networks managing director, Dawn Airey, brought her over from Channel 4.
Commenting on the move, Airey said: “I have greatly enjoyed working with Sara. She has a superb track record in popular broadcasting and has impressive credentials in content creation. I wish her well in her future career.”
She added: “James is highly experienced multichannnel TV executive. He knows the channel inside-out and his knowledge and creativity will be an enormous asset to Sky One.”
Baker joins Sky One at a time when ratings are declining as a result of the rapid growth of Freeview and increasing competition from other entertained-focused channels such as ITV2, E4 and BBC3.
Over the last few years Sky One has become associated with reality shows such Ibiza Uncovered, The Villa and Temptation Island. However, speculation suggests that Baker may attempt to move the channel upmarket as he focuses on strengthening the forthcoming winter schedule.
Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation is believed to be considering suing the BBC for broadcasting BSkyB programmes outside its agreed licence area. The problem stems from the Corporation’s recent decision to change the way it transmits its digital channels (see BBC Resolves Digital Distribution Dispute With BSkyB).
BSkyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com
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