ITV makes Fincham online chief

Peter Fincham

• Increase image
• View all images

ITV is merging its online web and TV businesses and handing extra responsibility to Peter Fincham by making him director of television, channels and online.

ITV Consumer managing director Jeff Henry will oversee the process and then stand down.

All of ITV's online assets inlcuding ITV.com, ITV Local, Project Kangaroo, Friends Reunited, Interactive and Gaming, will be integrated with ITV's family of broadcast channels.

The aim is to promote closer co-operation between the divisions and build on the company's 360 degree strategy.

ITV chief operating officer John Cresswell explained:"We relaunched itv.com this year and it has become a very substantial proposition. Now is the time to integrate it back as the fifth channel. We are bringing it back to the mothership."

Executive chairman Michael Grade added: "With content at the heart of our turnaround strategy, it now makes sense to integrate fully all our platforms to ensure the very best of our content is available to viewers wherever they wish to view it. It is testament to Jeff Henry's enormous commitment and success that we are able to do this now, ahead of our schedule, and I would personally like to thank Jeff for his contribution to ITV."

Ben McOwen Wilson is appointed Director of Online with responsibility for all ITV's new media businesses, reporting to Peter Fincham, with immediate effect.

Fincham said: "While ITV viewers continue to watch our programming in their millions on TV, they are increasingly consuming ITV content online and via catch-up. By integrating all our platforms we can be sure we commission and deliver the best, most watched and most wanted content from ITV across all our platforms."

Henry said: "ITV viewers are increasingly familiar with, and interacting with, our content and the demand for high quality video content is booming. Peter's unrivalled commissioning expertise and passion for content will undoubtedly take our online businesses to the next level. I wish the team every success with the next phase of ITV's online development."

SDN, the DTT multiplex operator, will report to director of group development & Strategy, Carolyn Fairbairn.