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Michael Grade resigns as BBC Chairman

to run ITV! (November 2006)

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SE
Square Eyes Founding member
Brekkie Boy posted:
Says it all about ITV really - pretty uninspired!

They've gone for a safe pair of hands rather than the risk taker they really require!


Uninspired ? So who here exactly was touting Michael Grade for CEO at ITV ? I'd never have thought they could have attracted such a calibre of candidate and lure him away from the BBC.

He's what ITV need, somebody who actually knows the industry inside out.
WH
Whataday Founding member
This is the best Christmas present ITV could hope for. Michael Grade turned BBC 1 around in the mid 80s by completely revitalising the schedule.

Certainly not a safe pair of hands, more someone willing to take risks and make changes in order to turn a station's output around.
DB
dbl
It makes sense since he knows the ropes at ITV, I hope he changes it for the better.
PA
pad
Whataday posted:
This is the best Christmas present ITV could hope for. Michael Grade turned BBC 1 around in the mid 80s by completely revitalising the schedule.

Certainly not a safe pair of hands, more someone willing to take risks and make changes in order to turn a station's output around.

I bloody hope so.

The schedules need tearing up and radically rethinking. I'd love him to be brave and put the news back on at 10. Dreaming....
WI
william Founding member
I always thought Grade was the one person who might keep Mark Thompson in check... I note BBC News Online have linked to this:

Quote:
When I first went into independent television in 1973, ITV had an effective monopoly, and public service obligations it had to meet, so in many ways there really wasn't that much difference between it and the BBC. Whereas today, with the way the private sector is going, with the fragmentation of revenues and so on, they can't but chase the ratings and the revenue, and inevitably their public service colours are gradually fading. That's not a criticism, just a recognition of reality. But I think it makes the role of the BBC - the distinctive role of the BBC - ever more discernible and ever more tangible.
WH
Whataday Founding member
Take a look at this link which looks in depth of what he did at BBC1.

http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/tvheroes/michael_grade.php
PR
Primetime
ITV News headlines at 10:30pm (coming up) they're going to have a report on "Michael Grade the man who moves to ITV".
PA
pad
Whataday posted:
Take a look at this link which looks in depth of what he did at BBC1.

http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/tvheroes/michael_grade.php

Fascinating article. Thanks for posting.
SE
Square Eyes Founding member
Some more details from BBC News :

Quote:
Robert Peston, the BBC's business editor, said that Mr Grade will take over as executive chairman of ITV on January 1.

Mr Grade will run the company, and has committed to hold the post for three years. John Creswell will work with him as chief operating officer.

Analysts said that Mr Grade is a charismatic figure who will restore confidence in ITV and help the company attract advertisers.

They added that Mr Grade was one of the few figures in the media industry with the experience and skills to take the helm at ITV.
PA
pad
Quote:
Grade's new position of "executive chairman" incorporates the role of chief executive, a position vacant since Charles Allen stepped down from the post in August.

"I wouldn't have bet any money on this happening at all," media analyst Ray Snoddy told Sky News. "I can only think that someone has offered him a great deal of money indeed."

Interim CEO John Cresswell will become ITV's new chief operating officer once Grade takes up the position on January 1.


Executive Chairman - sounds high brow. Wink
MO
Moz
The BBC will be furious tonight for quite a few reasons. Yes, ITV have poached their Chairman, but it's Sky News who are doing the immediate damage...

News 24 want to talk about the breaking news, but can't because Jeff Randal - now Daily Telegraph reporter, and the man who broke the news - is speaking to Sky! Worse still, straight after Randal, Sky have Ray Snoddy, presenter of Newswatch!!!! So the BBC have no-one to talk about the resignation of their Chairman, and Sky have two men who are closely linked to the BBC! Not even Nick Higham's around to save them! They had to go to sport!
PA
pad
Short feature on ITV Late News.

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