Former Channel 4 Boss Could Replace Allen

Michael Jackson, the former head of Channel 4, is being lined up to replace Charles Allen as chief executive of ITV, according to reports in the Observer.

Allen agreed to leave the broadcaster last week (see Charles Allen Leaves ITV), following falling ad revenue and a decline in viewers.

Jackson is said to be ideal for the post due to his experience of digital and new media, both in the UK and abroad, and was head of Channel 4 when it introduced digital channel FilmFour. He became head of Diller cable television’s USA Entertainment division five years ago and has been instrumental in attracting advertisers to the internet.

ITV’s interim results, unveiled last week (see ITV Profits Up Despite Weak Ad Market), showed that despite the poor performance of its flagship channel its profits were up, particularly with regard to its digital offerings.

Other names in the frame for the top job include Greg Dyke, former BBC director general, Dawn Airey, managing director of Sky Networks, Andy Duncan of Channel 4 and Stephen Carter, former head of regulatory watchdog Ofcom (see Rival Broadcasters Could Block ITV Appointment).

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