Britain’s commercial terrestrial TV network, ITV plc, is losing its chief executive after several months of speculation about the fate of Charles Allen. Allen has been the subject of much criticism as ITV’s advertising revenues have fallen and the company has been subject to take-over bids – including one failed attempt led by former BBC Director-General and former ITV boss Greg Dyke.
Allen will leave ITV on 1st October, with John Cresswell – currently ITV’s Finance Director – taking on the role of acting CEO while headhunters search for a full-time replacement.
Meanwhile at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation there are significant changes. A new MD has been appointed, brought in from the commercial sector. David Waweru is a former director of marketing at Nation Group, one of the country’s largest multimedia companies with interests in newspapers and broadcasting.
KBC has been under enormous government pressure which led to the effective sacking of reformist MD Wachiru Waruru earlier this year. He was criticised for failing to give sufficient coverage to politicians in KBC news broadcasts.
KBC has also seen the departure of its editor-in-chief, Hiram Mucheke, who has been replaced in an acting capacity by George Gitau.