TEN board dumps CEO Grant Blackley
Breaking News: The board of Ten Network Holdings has dismissed Chief Executive Officer Grant Blackley and Lachlan Murdoch has accepted the role of acting CEO.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Breaking news:
The board of Ten Network Holdings has given notice to Grant Blackley as its Chief Executive Officer and announced that Lachlan Murdoch will become its acting CEO whilst searching for a replacement.
TEN Network Holdings includes Network TEN, Eye Corp Pty Limited and other companies.
Blackley had only been in the top Board job since mid-December, after replacing Nick Falloon. He was also CEO of Network TEN.
Chairman Brian Long said: “The Board continues to be responsible for all decisions regarding the strategic direction of the Company, and has decided to conduct an immediate strategic review of the Company’s operations.
“I would like to thank Grant Blackley for his contribution to the Company over some 20 years. The Board would also like to thank Lachlan Murdoch for agreeing to accept an interim role at the Board’s request.”
There are media reports Bruce Gordon, who owns 14 per cent of TEN, and James Packer, who owns 9 per cent, backed Murdoch.
In recent weeks there has been some questioning of TEN’s new on-air strategy including from shareholders.
Despite the network pitching its 6-7pm news overhaul as a long-term vision has so far failed to attract a significant following.
This post updates.
39 Responses
[seinfeld]Oh yeah, this will work out well…[/seinfeld]
How did he last this long?He took over a happy healthy network and helped wipe millions off its value!! The reason the new owners got on board was simple,it was cheap. Note to the board,try and hire someone with some letters after His/Her title.
I give George Negus and 630pm News til Monday. Hate to say it but it was always a stupid idea.
How much longer will Sandra Sully retain her 6.30pm news job? Not longs my guess. Back to late night.
What gameshows do Shine make that they could stick in at 6?
Perhaps time to bring Lily and Richard over from SBS???
Ivan Henjack yesterday…Grant Blackley today…who will there be tomorrow?
I call Shenanigans!!
Here comes Fox Ten
Guess we should bid farewell to George then…
If they are thinking about axing it I really think they should put it up against ACA & TT first as it might get a hell of a lot more ratings there than where it is now.
Geez – that’s where innovating gets you I guess. How long before Negus is fronting stories about choosing your bra and revolutionary arthritis medications?
It’s truly game on now. Packer and Murdoch are flexing their muscles and you get the feeling that this is only the start of it. This does not look good for David Mott, who along with Blackley, were the forces behind the push for the News direction. I’d be nervous if I were him. Go get em James!
George Negus has as much hope of staying at 6pm as Mubarak and Ghaddafi after this….
Goodbye OneHD, goodbye George, goodbye newshour. Thank god 11 is doing okay.
Aw crap.
That is huge news.
It will be interesting to see what they do with George Negus.
Expect a Fox style network soon enough, also expect Ten to be renamed Sky1, and Eleven to be Sky2. Also expect One HD to be renamed Fox Sports.
I hope this doesn’t spell the end of 6pm! It is the best thing to hit tv in years.
Huge news for the TV industry with huge implications.
His father’s production company (newly acquired from his sister) supplies loads of its content now as well.
Worst news ever for Ten! Lachlan is a complete loser and is poison to the industry!
I wonder what’s gonna happen with the news and so on??
ONE is in trouble. Lately they have been removing sports shows for movies, documentaries, delaying sport, etc.
No coincidence this has all started since the Packer/Murdoch investment…
First it was Falloon, now it’s Blackley. There will be more upheavals at Ten in the next few months. Could Blackley be working for Nine soon?
Wow. That didn’t take long. Yen is in for a whole world of pain now. I feel sorry for them – they were all having such a great time and doing some good work. Lucky Nine doesn’t have this board otherwise there would be blood on the carpet there too!
lachlan wouldn’t no the first thing about running a network, see what money can buy.
TEN is now run by a Murdoch, a Packer, a mysterious baron and a far right Mining company chief. #JustSayin