Highfield To Leave BBC For Kangaroo

Ashley Highfield, the director of future media and technology at the BBC, is leaving the corporation to become CEO of the joint venture video-on-demand service from ITV, Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide, Kangaroo.

Highfield, who will be responsible for the roll-out of the new service, will replace interim chief executive Leslie MacKenzie.

Kangaroo is understood to be in the final stages of deals with content partners, internet service providers and sales houses (see Kangaroo “In Final Stages” Of Development).

At the BBC, Highfield is responsible for the corporation’s websites and interactive TV, and he recently oversaw the launch of the iPlayer, which has seen more than 42 million programmes accessed in the first three months of 2008 (see Over 42 Million Shows Accessed On iPlayer).

According to a report on MediaGuardian.co.uk, Highfield could be replaced at the BBC by former Microsoft executive Erik Huggers.

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