BSkyB Confirms Ball As New CEO

BSkyB has just confirmed that Tony Ball is to be its new chief executive officer (see BSkyB Gets New Chief Executive). He is to take over the top position at the pay-TV satellite broadcaster on 1 June 1999, when current chief, Mark Booth, leaves to set up e-partners.

Ball has worked at BSkyB before as both head of production and operation at Sky Sports and as general manager, broadcasting. Presently he is president and CEO at Fox/Liberty Networks where he has driven the group’s FOX Sports Net service which grew to command a subscriber base of 68 million homes in less than three years.

Commenting on the appointment, Jérôme Seydoux, chairman of BSkyB, said: “Tony Ball has a profound knowledge of the pay TV industry. He has the determination to continue Sky’s success in the new digital age. He will be an outstanding replacement for Mark Booth, who achieved so much during his time with Sky.”

Ball is BSkyB’s third chief executive in two years, following Booth and Sam Chisholm, who left in June 1997 on medical advice. “I am thrilled to have been offered this tremendous opportunity… I am taking over at a time when the free box strategy has got off to a great start,” says Ball.

At 12:30pm today, BSkyB’s share price was up 3˝p at 597p.

BSkyB: 0171 705 3000