Dyke snubs top job at Channel Five
GREG Dyke has snubbed a move to Channel Five, which is undergoing a major shake-up under new owner Richard Desmond, according to industry sources.
City A.M. understands Desmond had sounded out Dyke for the top job after chief executive Dawn Airey announced she would quit the broadcaster.
But Dyke, who helped launch Five in 1997, told the Express owner he is not interested in the position, according to the source.
Desmond is in no rush to fill the position, with Airey remaining for “a few months” to oversee the transition before enabling a clause in her contract that will see her take a senior role at former Five owner RTL.
Industry analyst Claire Enders told City A.M. she expects Desmond to appoint a new chief executive from within his media empire.
Airey will be joined on the way out of the firm by six other directors from the nine-strong board. Up to 80 jobs will also go from the workforce of 300.