Plantin quits top ITV programming post

ITV is losing its network director – the holder of the most senior programming post – with the departure of Marcus Plantin later this year.

His resignation marks the end to speculation that he may land the chief executive’s post for the more centralised and restructured ITV Network Centre.

An ITV spokeswoman says a decision on whether to replace Plantin in the top programming post will wait until after the appointment of a chief executive.

Network Centre may scrap the position of net work director if the new chief executive is willing to co-ordinate commissioning across the network.

Likewise, a decision to proceed with the creation of the marketing director role will depend on the background of the winning candidate.

Plantin’s plans to depart, which the spokeswoman says were indicated to top ITV executives last year, leave the top two programming slots in Britain up for grabs. Last week, it was announced that BBC1 controller Michael Jackson is to take over as Channel 4’s chief executive from June.

Clive Jones, chief executive of Carlton TV, remains the most hotly tipped insider to take on the ITV role.