ITV's chief of programmes quits
ITV's programme chief David Liddiment today announced he is quitting after five years, becoming the latest high profile figure to depart the network.
Mr Liddiment became known for risky strategies such as saturating schedules with the hit show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? which was a huge hit.
But he was also responsible for ratings failures like the axing of News At Ten.
He will leave his post when a successor is appointed, he said today. Mr Liddiment said he was looking forward "to getting my life back and escaping the tyranny of the overnight ratings".
The network's main channel ITV1 is under pressure to perform in the ratings after increased competition from BBC1.
And it is fighting to attract advertisers although extra cash has been pledged to boost programmes. In recent weeks there have been a number of major personalities quitting ITV, following the demise of ITV Digital.
Chairman Leslie Hill left in June and chief executive Stuart Prebble left the month before.
Mr Liddiments resignation comes days before a decision is due on which broadcasters would get to run the defunct ITV Digital.
The news of his resignation will prompt speculation that a joint bid by ITV and Channel 4 for ITV Digital has failed. A consortium run by the BBC and Sky TV now looks set to win the licence.
Mr Liddiment has had mixed fortunes as head of programmes for ITV. One of his big successes was Pop Idol. Today Mr Liddiment said: "It's well known that I have loved this job more than any other in my career.
"It's the job I always wanted and I have enjoyed it immensely. To give it up has been an extremely difficult decision, but after five years I feel that it is time to hand over the reigns and move on. I am incredibly proud of the team at ITV and I shall miss working with them enormously. Quite simply I believe we have the best commissioning and scheduling team in British Television and I am leaving ITV in extremely capable hands.
"I am also proud to have been associated with some of the most exciting, high quality and creative programmes of recent years and for that I thank the many producers, writers and performers who have contributed so much.
"Despite the financial and competitive challenges we have faced most recently there is a terrific spirit alive in ITV that I know will see it thrive in the future."
