BBC digital chief quits
BBC director of future media and technology Ashley Highfield is leaving the corporation to become chief executive of “Project Kangaroo”, the joint on-demand venture from BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4.
Highfield, who joined the BBC eight years ago, was behind the development of its iPlayer service, which launched at Christmas and is available via PC, Mac computers, iPhones and through the Nintendo Wii gaming console. He led the project for over four years, supported by an estimated £72m investment.
The news also comes ahead of an expected summer launch for the joint broadcasters’ venture, codenamed Kangaroo, which is expected to encourage further takeup of online video. Analysts also say Highfield’s appointment will help to drive advertiser interest in the ad-funded service, which will provide archive content from the three broadcasters.
Although iPlayer has taken off since its official launch in December, ITV.com and 4oD, the ITV and Channel 4 services, have seen slower take-up.
The BBC says the catch-up TV service has streamed or downloaded more than 42m programmes since the full launch at Christmas and helped take web TV into the mainstream. However, its rapid growth has intensified an argument between the BBC and internet service providers over who should fund the costs of data-heavy video services.
Highfield will replace temporary Kangaroo chief executive Leslie MacKenzie. He joined the BBC in 2000 from Flextech, the content arm now owned by Virgin Media, and controls an annual budget of £400m.
