Exclusive: Mike Morris leaving Channel 4

Mike Morris is stepping down as managing director of Channel 4’s rights exploitation division 4Rights, TBIvision has learned.

The Channel 4 division is being restructured and Sarah Rose, who was promoted from head of VOD and channel development to director of commercial & business development activities last year, is expected to take a wider role incorporating responsibility for some 4Rights activities when she returns from maternity leave.

Channel 4 declined to comment.

TBIvision understands that Morris will leave 4Rights in October.

The move was decided ahead of MIP TV. Morris’ previous industry roles include a stint as head of marketing at ITEL, the distributor that was bought by Granada.

4Rights aggregates rights in the UK and has responsibility for Channel 4’s DVD (4DVD), events (4Events), books and magazines (4Books) businesses.

It has also started to provide development funding for scripted series destined for US cable and has been looking to export entertainment formats that have previously appeared on Channel 4 to US cable channels.