Channel 4 director Henwood to leave after on-demand deal

Channel 4 director of new business Rod Henwood is leaving the broadcaster after it agreed a deal with BBC Worldwide and ITV to launch an on-demand TV service. Henwood was instrumental in the development of Channel 4’s on-demand service 4oD, which launched last year.

He will leave in April next year when negotiations for the service, developing under the working title Kangaroo, are “more advanced”. The existing 4oD service will be axed and integrated into the new offering once Kangaroo is launched.

Henwood joined Channel 4 in May 2005 and has led the broadcaster’s digital plans. He says the completion of Kangaroo – in which he was heavily involved – represents a “natural break” in his association with Channel 4. It is not known if Henwood has a job to go to.

Last week, Channel 4 announced the sale of its international distribution business, Channel 4 International, to the Digital Rights Group. In October, Channel 4 announced an agreement with BSkyB to launch Channel 4 HD on the Sky Digital platform next month. Channel 4 paid £28m to acquire 50% of EMAP’s music television business, Box TV, in July.