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Top Executive Named to Run BBC

Jul 5, 2012  •  Post A Comment

An executive has been appointed from within the ranks of the BBC to take over running the company, The New York Times reports.

The BBC named George Entwistle, the head of its television operations, to take over as director general this fall, the story reports.

Entwistle, who is succeeding Mark Thompson, joined the BBC in 1989 as a broadcast journalism trainee. Appointing an insider rather than a well-known outsider could help the BBC as it works on negotiating the renewal of its royal charter, which will expire in 2017, and on the license fee on homes with TV sets, which provides the bulk of the BBC’s revenue, the piece points out.

Entwistle was chosen from among several other candidates, including Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, the British media regulator, and Caroline Thomson, the BBC chief operating officer, the story says.

His background in delivering popular TV programs was pointed to as a reason for his appointment.

“His experience of making and delivering great programs that audiences love — built up through many years of working for the corporation — will prove invaluable as he and his team work to ensure the BBC remains the greatest broadcaster in the world,” said the BBC Trust Chairman Chris Patten.

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