BSkyB Gets New Chief Executive

It is understood that satellite broadcaster, BSkyB, has chosen Tony Ball as its new chief executive. Ball, who is currently president and chief operating officer of Fox-Liberty Networks will replace Mark Booth who is leaving to start an internet stocks company called e-partners (see Mark Booth Leaves BSkyB For New Media Company).

A formal announcement by Sky has not yet been made, but both the Times and Guardian predict that the appointment could be unveiled today. Despite this, a spokesperson for BSkyB yesterday told Newsline that a decision is not expected for a number of weeks and that the board is still considering candidates.

The news comes as BSkyB renews its efforts to convince the ITV Network to allow Sky Digital to carry the ITV and ITV2 channels . It is understood that Ian West, managing director of Sky Entertainment, has written to ITV chief executive Richard Eyre, outlining the benefits for ITV if it began broadcasting on Sky Digital.

According to the national press today, West has promised that if BSkyB fails to sign up 2.5 million digital subscribers by the end of 2001, it will compensate ITV for the shortfall in predicted tax savings. However, it is understood that ITV’s position is a strategic, rather than financial one. The issue has been taken to the House Of Commons (see BSkyB and ITV Channel Row Prepares To Go To Commons), the Independent Television Commission (see BSkyB Fails To Gain Access To ITV2) and the Office of Fair Trading (see OFT Becomes Involved In Digital War).

Further information on BSkyB’s new chief executive will appear on Newsline as it becomes available.

BSkyB: 0171 705 3000