Channel 4 to 'share out Lygo role'

New Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham has said that a team of senior figures will handle all responsibilities of the outgoing director of television and content Kevin Lygo until a replacement can be hired.

It was announced last week that Lygo has been appointed to lead the ITV Studios production business by new ITV chief executive Adam Crozier.

According to The Guardian, Abraham said in an email to staff that even though a leaving date for Lygo has not yet been agreed, it would be inappropriate for "ultimate commissioning and budgetary responsibility to reside with him during this transitional period".

As an alternative arrangement, Abraham will put together an interim commissioning team to handle his duties, consisting of controller of broadcasting Rosemary Newell, head of Channel 4 Julian Bellamy and controller of film and drama Tessa Ross.

"Kevin and I are still discussing the final details of his departure, but the aim is for him to remain at Channel 4 long enough to lend his invaluable experience and insight to this review process," said Abraham, who started at Channel 4 on Tuesday.

"For obvious reasons however, it isn't appropriate for ultimate commissioning and budgetary responsibility to reside with him during this transitional period."

The new interim management team will meet weekly and have "ultimate sign-off of all commissioning decisions".

Newell will also take temporary responsibility for acquisitions, with head of E4 Paul Mortimer, head of More4 Hamish Mykura and head of Film4 Julia Wrigley all reporting to her.

Abraham said that the interim group will stay in operation until he completes a full strategic review of the commercial public service broadcaster.