Endemol COO Exits

HILVERSUM, March 5: Endemol announced today that its chief
operating officer, Tom Barnicoat, is stepping down with immediate effect.

The format giant said the move was a mutual agreement by
Barnicoat and the Endemol management board. His responsibilities will be taken
over by other senior executives.

Previously CEO of Endemol UK, Barnicoat was appointed COO of
Endemol in January 2005. He leaves with a severance payment of £2.6 million and
a pension contribution of £191,042.

Barnicoat’s exit has fueled speculation that Telefónica’s
sale of a 75 percent of the company is imminent. Some published reports
indicate that Barnicoat may have stepped down so that he himself could make a
bid for the company.