BBC director of television Danny Cohen is leaving his role after eight years with the Corporation. It had been speculated that he was considering other offers from both the US and UK.
Cohen announced his decision to depart in an email to BBC staff: “The time feels right for a new creative and management challenge and I’ve decided that it would be better to leave and transparently explore these new opportunities rather than risk creating rumours and uncertainty for our teams.”
Cohen joined the BBC from Channel 4 in 2007. He went on to become BBC One controller in 2010 and became director of television two years later.
“One of biggest risks to long-established media businesses is that they can’t face the idea of disrupting themselves as the world around them changes,” he also stated. “With the iPlayer, with BBC Studios and BBC Three we are showing a willingness to innovate and take major risks to keep the BBC healthy for the long-term.”
His statement went on to praise the work of the BBC during his time there and thank the BCC for its range of content, commitment to diversity and technological innovation.