Channel 4 Head Will Not Step Into Allen’s Shoes

Andy Duncan, the chief executive of Channel 4, will not take Charles Allen’s place at ITV, saying that his loyalties lie with Channel 4 and will do for “some considerable time.”

“There has been a lot of speculation about possible candidates for this role and I want it to be known that I will not be putting my name forward,” said Duncan in a statement issued by Channel 4.

“Leading ITV through digital switchover will be a great challenge, but I’m already engaged in, what I believe is, a greater and more rewarding task – working with colleagues to secure Channel 4’s future, ensuring it adapts to remain Britain’s most relevant and contemporary broadcaster in the emerging digital world and continues to make a powerful public service contribution long into the future,” he said. “Channel 4 feels to me to be the most exciting place to be in British media at present and I’m hugely enjoying my role”.

Michael Jackson, former chief executive of Channel 4 and BBC2 controller, has also said he is “not interested” in replacing Charles Allen as chief executive of ITV.

Several other candidates have been rumoured to take the top spot at ITV, with names such as Greg Dyke, former BBC director general, Dawn Airey, managing director of Sky Networks, and Stephen Carter, former head of regulatory watchdog Ofcom are all in the frame (see Former Channel 4 Boss Could Replace Allen).

Earlier this week, ITV controller of drama, comedy and films, Andy Harries, criticised Charles Allen’s era at the company, saying Allen was short-sighted and that “ITV is so unfashionable, it doesn’t have to be like Channel 4, but it should be modern. It looks like a bargain basement” (see Top ITV Executive Criticises Charles Allen Era).

Allen will leave the broadcaster at the beginning of October (see Charles Allen Leaves ITV).

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com Channel 4: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com