Search For Thompson’s Successor Already Underway
Channel 4 confirmed this morning that it has begun the search for a new chief executive amid mounting speculation over possible candidates for the role previously occupied by Mark Thompson.
BBC chairman, Michael Grade, announced late on Friday that Thompson had been appointed to succeed Greg Dyke as director general of the Corporation, in a move that finally drew a line under the damage done by the Hutton report (see Channel 4 Head Rules Out A Move To The BBC).
Thompson’s departure comes at a difficult time for Channel 4, which will have to fight harder than ever to maintain its audience share following the loss of high rating sitcoms Sex and the City, Friends and Frasier. Public service broadcasting and strategies for survival in the tough multi-channel environment are also high on its agenda (see Channel 4 Planning Raft Of Digital Channels).
A spokesman for Channel 4 told NewsLine that the search for a new chief executive had begun. He said: “We are not hanging around to do anything in a terrifically formal fashion. A head-hunter will be engaged, we will draw up a shortlist and the board will make a decision. I don’t expect a long, drawn-out process. I think things will happen very quickly and we will know who the candidates are very soon.”
Speculation has already begun over those lining up to fill Thompson’s shoes at Channel 4. Kevin Lygo, the broadcaster’s current director of television; John Willis, the BBC’s director of factual and learning; and Dawn Airey, managing director of Sky Networks, are all being mooted as possible replacements.
However, Andrew Canter, broadcast director at the Media Planning Group, believes the current crop of suspects fall far from the mark, stating that Channel 4 may search further afield for a replacement and could possibly look outside the UK.
He said: “There doesn’t seem to be a clear indication of who Thompson’s replacement might be. One does start to think that they may look abroad, maybe for someone who has worked over here, gone somewhere else and come back, I won’t suggest Michael Jackson because I don’t think he would come back to the same job, but someone along those lines.”
He added: “There is also talk of the chairman, Luke Johnson, taking a more active role and bringing Lygo up to meet the position half way. I don’t think that would be satisfactory but they have lots of options open to them.”
Dawn Airey is currently being touted as favourite for the top spot, but Canter believes she has moved on since her days with Channel 4, stating: “I don’t think its right for Dawn, I think she quite enjoys the challenge of Sky but it would be interesting to see if she does come back to do that job.”
David Peters, head of sponsorship at Carat, agreed, saying: “There are lots of well qualified people out there who could do the job, including Dawn Airey, so who knows. Having said that, history has shown that they tend to bring people in from outside the business rather than promote from within but who will make the shortlist is anybody’s guess.
It is not yet known whether Thompson can take up his BBC post as quickly as the Corporation would like, as his contract with Channel 4 stipulates a six month notice period. However, it is understood that Channel 4 has consulted lawyers about Thompson’s departure and whether or not to let him out of his contract early (see BBC Steps Up Pressure To Get Thompson On Board).
Commenting on the doubt surrounding Thompson’s contract, Channel 4’s spokesman said: “The initial expectation is that he will serve some or all of his notice while we search for a replacement. We are keen to be seen to be acting for the good of Channel 4, rather than for the good of the BBC. He will be released when we feel that the channel is in a position to let him go.”
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com
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