News Corp. Gives Expanded Role to SKY Italia Exec

LONDON, May 12: News
Corporation has appointed Tom Mockridge, the chief executive of SKY Italia, to
the additional role of chief executive of European television.

Mockridge will directly
oversee the company’s television operations in Europe, outside of the U.K,
including SKY Italia, a minority investment in German pay-TV outfit Premiere
and a range of holdings in broadcasters across territories such as Bulgaria,
Poland and Turkey. The appointment does not affect BSkyB, which News Corp.
holds a 39-percent stake in. Mockridge will continue to report to James
Murdoch, the chairman and CEO for Europe and Asia at News Corporation.

Meanwhile, Marty Pompadur,
the executive VP of News Corp. and chairman of News Corp. Europe, has chosen to
focus on overseeing the company’s radio ventures in Russia and its outdoor
advertising business. He will also serve as an advisor to the company.

Murdoch commented: “Tom
has led SKY Italia to become one of the world’s most successful pay-TV
businesses, now with more than 4.5 million customers. Tom will extend his
successful stewardship of SKY Italia to develop our European broadcast
operations across the territory.”

He added: “Marty has
played a vital role in building our broadcast and outdoor advertising network.
He is a true pioneer and I am delighted to continue to call on him as we
develop the business.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski