New Director of News and Sport for ITV

Mark Sharman is to take on an expanded role as director of news and sport for the network.

Sharman will assume responsibility for all ITV’s network news and regional programming as well as continued responsibility for sports programming across ITV’s family of channels, working to director of television, Simon Shaps.

The new appointment comes after Clive Jones announced he was stepping down from his role as chief executive of the ITV News Group.

Sharman said: “ITV News is an iconic brand and like anyone working in news or current affairs I have grown up with the fullest respect for ITN. They have made a name by setting incredible standards in news journalism and I am genuinely proud to be working with such a talented team of journalists and news professionals.”

Prior to joining ITV in January 2005 Sharman was director of broadcasting for Sky Networks, with overall responsibility for Sky News, and with Nick Pollard, presided over the successful re-launch of Sky News.

Simon Shaps, ITV’s director of television said: “News and sport are channel defining genres for ITV and I am delighted that someone with Mark’s experience and professionalism is overseeing these two crucial areas.”

David Mannion’s role as editor-in-chief of all ITV’s Network and regional news output remains unchanged. Michael Jermey takes on additional responsibilities as director of ITV Regions and Network News Operations.

Source: DS

What exactly is that role then in relation to news considering David Mannion is the editor in chief?


It's obviously insignificant enough to be merged with his role as head of sport!

1. ITV News is not an iconic brand, it is a made up one. ITN is an iconic brand.

2. Which successful re-launch of Sky News was that? I must have been asleep for that day.

Oh great, does that mean we can have Steve Rider presenting every news programme as well ?

I despair at these generic articles we get when someone joins a firm. Here, let me write one.

[Name] has been appointed as the new [job title] at [firm here], starting officially on [date].

"[Firm] is an iconic, well respected brand and I am looking forward to the creative challenges of working here," said [Name].

etc. Okay, marketing babble aside, what exactly will this guy do at ITV? I wonder if he will do anything of merit in terms of improving ITV News.

Hasn't exactly done a lot for sport has he ?

Sidelined TV's most popular female sports presenter during the World Cup, so much so she upped and left for the BBC.

Brought in 'safe but bland' Steve Rider and promptly centred nearly all sports coverage around the one man, he should never be doing football. (They actually wanted Jeff Stelling).

Delivered a crushing defeat in World Cup final coverage against the BBC.

They have terrible and unimaginative football coverage particularly in punditry. Whereas the BBC & Sky have well established names and teams, ITV make do with Andy Townsend and Robbie Earle, Ally McCoist has gone since he was appointed at Rangers and they miss a Big Ron style figure in commentary.

Next we have Mark Durden Smith presenting the Boat Race.

Nope, can't say it's been a succesful tenure so far for Sport.

on the other hand he's brought back regular boxing to ITV, overseen much needed changes in terms of graphics/bringing covergae under one umbrella, made noises about bidding for further rugby and football rights, extended Champions League coverage on ITV4 etc. Gabby Logan aside, I'd say he's done a pretty good job.

Sorry, I didn't realise that there was a news dept left at ITV to manage.

Aside from sitting there firing everyone as his budget is further squeezed I can't see what he could do.