The two companies that currently form the UK Independent Television organisation (ITV) having been given a conditional go-ahead to merge, but infighting has already broken out. The heads of the two companies Carlton (Michael Green) and Granada (Charles Allen) were expecting to become chairman and CEO respectively.
But not so easy. Michael Green made his name and won his position in a particularly flamboyant way, which did not make him popular in some quarters. Now, in another display of shareholder power, where shareholders go against the wishes of their directors, Calrtons investors have voted against Michael Green as chairman of the new single ITV company, and the Carlton board have complied with this demand.
There was already unease that a merged ITV might be bought by commercial interests, possibly from the USA, and that programming standards would consequently be lowered. One English head has already rolled. Will that of Charles Allen follow, and what then will be the future?