THE chair and former chief executive of BSkyB is to be the keynote speaker at this year’s MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.
James Murdoch, who is also chair and chief executive (Euorope and Asia) of News Corporation, is giving the MacTaggart Lecture.
He has been chair and chief executive (Europe and Asia) of News Corporation for two years, with responsibility for the strategic and operational development of News Corporation’s television, newspaper and related digital assets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Also two years ago, he became non-executive chair of BSkyB, following four years as chief executive.
Say the organisers: “During his time [there], the company accelerated its rate of growth, expanded into residential telecoms and broadband and increased its commitment to investing in programming.”
Twenty years ago, this father, Rupert, also gave a MacTaggart Lecture. He used his speech to condemn the “narrow elite” of British broadcasting.
The festival is taking place between August 28 and 30.
Previous MacTaggart speakers have included scriptwriter Dennis Potter, journalist Janet Street-Porter, CNN mogul Ted Turner, Big Brother producer Peter Bazalgette, Today programme presenter John Humphrys and Newsnight anchor, Jeremy Paxman.
