Channel 4 to 'axe future media chief'

Channel 4's director of future media Jon Gisby will reportedly see his post scrapped as part of plans to cut the broadcaster's senior management positions by 25%.

Gisby, who sits on the Channel 4 board, is currently responsible for various parts of the broadcaster's online and digital business, including video on-demand platform 4OD.

However, it is understood that his role will soon be absorbed into Channel 4's newly-created positions of chief creative officer and director of audience technologies and insight, reports The Guardian.

Earlier in the month, Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham confirmed plans to cut senior management posts at the broadcaster by 25%, including a reduction in his direct reports from 13 to just six.

Another person expected to leave under the changes is Channel 4's long-serving commissioning editor and head of education Janey Walker.

Walker, who has been at Channel 4 for the past 14 years, has recently overseen the transition of the broadcaster's £6m annual spend on educational content from TV to online platforms.

According to insiders, discussions are now under way about how to implement Abraham's management cuts, alongside further options for bringing the online and TV commissioning teams closer together.

Channel 4 intends to advertise externally for the chief creative officer role, with head of Channel 4 Julian Bellamy fulfilling the post on an interim basis.

Possible external candidates for the position include BBC Three controller Danny Cohen, Sky1 director of programmes Stuart Murphy and BBC One controller Jay Hunt.

Last week, Channel 4's long-serving head of press Matt Baker announced that he will to leave his post later in the year to pursue freelance writing projects.