Grade Move Could Spark ITV Sport Review

ITV’s commitment to sport could be set for review after the broadcaster
controversially poached Michael Grade from terrestrial rival BBC to be ITV’s new
executive chairman.

Grade, who leaves his role as BBC chairman for a £825,000 basic salary at
ITV, is known to favour importing US programming and investing in homemade
dramas and has no track record to speak of in terms of a leaning towards sport.

Such inclinations were revealed in Grade’s first statement today when he
announced that his first task will be to improve programming when he joins ITV
early next year. It is unclear at this moment how Grade sees sport fitting in to
the broadcaster’s portfolio.

Although Grade has not necessarily made significant waves in improving sports
coverage in his previous roles, he is known to be a sports fan from a personal
perspective – a fact shown through his continued role as a director at
struggling FA Premier League club Charlton Athletic.

ITV’s commitment to live sports rights currently revolve around UEFA
Champions League football and Formula One.

Grade’s departure marks a major blow for the BBC where he was steering the
corporation through a complex review of licence fee negotiations with the
government. Grade had been chairman of the corporation since 2004.

Grade has committed to running ITV for three years. The broadcaster has been
without a chief executive since Charles Allen left in August and has been beset
by problems, most noticeably a rapidly declining advertising market.