UKTV Chief Tapped for Top Job at Channel 4

LONDON: David Abraham, who currently heads up UKTV, has been appointed as the new chief executive of Channel 4, succeeding Andy Duncan, who stepped down in November.

Channel 4 has not yet announced a start date for Abraham. The British broadcaster’s interim management team, led by acting chief executive Anne Bulford, will remain in place until his arrival. He has filled the top spot at UKTV since April 2007, overseeing the rebrand of the entire portfolio of British channels. He previously headed up TLC as president and general manager, and served as general manager of Discovery Networks UK for four years.

Lord Burns, Channel 4’s chairman, said: “David is a rare commodity as a broadcaster in that he has an exceptional track record as an innovative leader, both creatively and commercially. At all stages of his career he’s led creative teams and commissioned creative output of the highest quality in a commercial environment. It is that experience, we believe, that so well qualifies him for the challenge of running a commercially funded, public service broadcaster like Channel 4. The board spoke to a number of other candidates and considered many more as part of a very thorough process and we’re convinced that, in David, we have identified a creative manager of the highest quality. He has a track record of success as a chief executive and the right mix of skills to get all parts of Channel 4 working together to unlock our full creative and commercial potential and complete our transition into digital.”

Abraham added: “This is an extremely exciting, if challenging, time to be working in the media. Innovation has been part of Channel 4’s history and it will be at the heart of its future. I look forward to leading the whole organization through its next period of growth and innovation, both creatively and commercially. What I bring to deliver that future is idealism, versatility and a record of leading creative organizations through change.”