Ball is stuck in ITV talks
ITV is believed to have offered the role of chief executive to former BSkyB boss Tony Ball, but the parties are at loggerheads over the terms of his employment.
It is understood that the commercial broadcaster offered the role to Ball – a favourite among its larger investors – last week, but that negotiations over his remuneration package have reached a stalemate.
Another contentious element of the talks is thought to be the future of current chief executive Michael Grade, who will step down later this year but intends to remain with ITV as non-executive chairman.
Shareholders are frustrated at the amount of time it has taken to replace Grade, and it is thought that even those who were against Ball’s appointment would rather he take the role than start over.
ITV did not return calls in time for publication.