Government To Name Grade As BBC Chairman
Former Channel 4 chief executive Michael Grade is expected to be confirmed as the BBC’s new chairman by Downing Street later today following an exhaustive selection process lasting nearly three months.
Grade will step into the shoes of Gavyn Davies, the former chairman who departed following criticism contained in the Hutton Report published in January.
The appointment follows much speculation over the position, thought to have attracted around 80 applicants. This is despite the BBC entering one of the most difficult periods in its history, with talk of the licence fee being abolished and calls for a break up of the Corporation heading the agendas of many media groups.
The former Channel 4 head was tipped as favourite last month when a leaked shortlist of seven candidates was circulated amongst the press (see Shortlist For BBC Chairman Whittled Down To Seven).
Despite his long history in broadcasting, Grade is regarded by some as a maverick operator, unafraid of controversy and was labelled “pornographer-in-chief” by the Daily Mail during his time at the helm of Channel 4. Grade comes from a family of media heavyweights, having television mogul Lord Grade, pioneer of ITV, as his uncle.
The appointment is sure to spark calls for reasurance from ITV, Channel 4 and Five that Grade’s commercial background will not encroach upon the BBC’s public service remit. There have been several calls in recent months to curb the Corporation’s commercial activities, with the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising leading the way, launching several withering attacks on the BBC’s aggressive approach to programming and self-promotion (see IPA Report Deplores Aggressive And Commercial BBC).
The final confirmation of Grade’s appointment is due to be made by Downing Street at 1pm today.
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