Former BBC technology director to chair Everyone TV

The PSBs have appointed former BBC technology director Erik Huggers as the chair of Freeview and Freesat operator Everyone TV (formerly Digital UK).

Huggers, who led the launch of iPlayer, succeeds former BBC chief operation officer Caroline Thomson, who is stepping down after more than 10 years in the role. During her tenure, she oversaw the launch of connected TV service Freeview Play, secured Channel 5 as a shareholder and completed the merger with satellite platform Freesat.

Huggers will oversee the senior management team and the board of directors who work across the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

As BBC director of future, media and technology from 2008-2011, he led the launch of iPlayer and oversaw the direct-to-consumer services across web, mobile and TV platforms.

He previously spent eight years as a senior director for Microsoft in both Europe and the US and has held senior roles at Intel, Verizon and Vevo.

Huggers holds several board and advisory roles for tech companies including ProSiebenSat.1, Hexagon, WeTransfer, and streaming technology provider MainStreaming.

Everyone TV chief executive Jonathan Thompson said Huggers brings “a wealth of highly relevant UK and international experience and a deep understanding of the technology and media sectors”.

Huggers said: “The UK’s broadcasting sector, with public service broadcasting at its heart, is the envy of the world. I have long admired the principle of high quality content delivered free at the point of use for all. As the worlds of tech and entertainment increasingly converge, it’s imperative that the distribution of free TV adapts.”

Huggers starts the role with immediate effect and will undertake a handover with Thomson over the course of February.

The company rebranded last month in a bid to champion the idea of universality in the age of streaming.