James Warburton to start at TEN on January 1

The NSW Supreme Court has ruled James Warburton can take up the chief executive’s position at TEN Network Holdings on January 1st 2012.

In something of a compromise, the date is more than five months after the July 14 TEN had originally announced, but less than the October 2012 date Seven was seeking.

Seven Media Group’s former chief sales and digital officer was due to start as TEN’s chief executive job on July 14, but Seven claimed conditions in his employment contract meant he had to wait until October 2012 before commencing work with any other media company.

In a statement today Seven Media Group welcomed today the decision, saying contracts were important.

Chief Executive Officer David Leckie said “I am glad the date when James can commence with Network Ten has been determined and that his cross claim has been dismissed. He was a valuable member of the Seven team. We wish him good luck.”

In a statement, Ten Holdings Chairman, Brian Long, said: “We now have certainty about James’s starting date and, while we are disappointed it has been delayed, the business continues to benefit from the actions being taken by interim CEO Lachlan Murdoch.”

“Lachlan is driving a focussed and aggressive change agenda. We are already seeing results, including action on costs, cross-platform and integrated sales, a successfully re-launched ONE and improvements in News.

“There will be a smooth transition between Lachlan and James, and the strategies underway will accelerate our growth plans.”

The court also dismissed of Mr Warburton’s cross claim against his former employer, alleging Seven wrongfully repudiated his contract.

Source: The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald
This post updates.