Destabilising' C4 boss exit adds to TV's uncertainty

With Channel 4 facing months of stopgap interim leadership and ITV in talks over a potential merger of its programme-making operation with a rival belonging to an Abu Dhabi-backed fund, the UK's biggest free-to-air commercial broadcasters face a destabilising and uncertain summer.

- Mark Sweney

With Channel 4 facing months of stopgap interim leadership and ITV in talks over a potential merger of its programme-making operation with a rival belonging to an Abu Dhabi-backed fund, the UK's biggest free-to-air commercial broadcasters face a destabilising and uncertain summer. On Monday, Alex Mahon, Channel 4's chief executive, announced she is to stand down this summer after almost eight years in the role.

During her tenure Channel 4's first female chief executive navigated the pandemic, but was criticised for taking home millions in pay and bonuses, while pushing through the largest round of job cuts in 15 years as the broadcaster weathered the worst ad recession since the 2008 financial crisis.

Big cuts to the broadcaster's content budget, and pausing some recommissions, put severe strain on the hundreds of independent producers reliant on Channel 4.

After her predecessor, David Abraham, fought off privatisation in 2017, Mahon was the architect of Channel 4's move to significantly increase its presence outside the capital, including opening a "national headquarters" in Leeds, and opting to sell its London base of 20 years.

Meanwhile ITV - whose chief executive, Carolyn McCall, is now in her eighth year in charge - is also facing a summer of uncertainty.

McCall, who has struggled to get investors to buy into ITV's future prospects, is also considered by many observers to be nearing the end of her time in charge and is seeking to go out on a high.

Mahon's departure, to head the live events and festivals firm Superstruct later in the summer, leaves Channel 4 under interim leadership for an extended period and her successor will not enjoy the handover Mahon had. Abraham's contract with Channel 4 extended almost three months after Mahon took up her role in early October 2017.