Thompson Claims He Is Unlikely To Make BBC Move
Channel 4 chief executive Mark Thompson has quashed rumours that he is planning to apply for the position of BBC director general left vacant following the resignation of Greg Dyke last month.
The former BBC director of television, who was one of the early favourites to succeed Dyke, said he was in no hurry to return to the Corporation, which has been plunged into crisis following the findings of the Hutton report.
He told Broadcast magazine: “I’m right in the middle of an incredibly exciting job at Channel 4. I think we’ve achieved a lot in the past couple of years, but I think there’s plenty more to do. I’m not looking for another job and I don’t intend to apply for the director general’s role.”
However, Thompson left room to reconsider his position, stating: “I wouldn’t rule out going back to the BBC ever, but it’s very unlikely that I’d want to do that now. I want to stay and complete the task of taking Channel 4 to the next stage.”
Thompson began his career with the BBC over 20 years ago where he progressed from editing Panorama and the Nine O’Clock News to several senior positions, including controller of BBC2 and most recently director of television.
The channel 4 chief executive had been an early favourite for the post of director general following Greg Dyke’s departure. Acting director general Mark Byford is now tipped to be favourite for the position, but no appointment will be made until a new BBC chairman is appointed, a process that could take some months (see Greg Dyke Steps Down As BBC Director General ).
Thompson’s announcement comes in the same week that the Conservatives refused to sit on cross-party panel overseeing the appointment of a new BBC chairman, a development which could further delay proceedings and leave the BBC without confirmed leadership for some time.
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk
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