Axe hangs over ITV’s Kandola

Jay Kandola, director of acquisitions at ITV, has become the latest high profile executive at the UK commercial broadcaster to be hit by wide ranging cuts, TBIvision understands.

Kandola’s role is currently being looked at as part of a 90-day consultation period. It is thought that she will either be offered a redundancy package or will be offered another role in the company.

An ITV spokesperson said: “We’re currently in a period of consultation and can’t comment on specific individuals.”

Former Channel 4 and Five executive Kandola is the company’s most senior acquisitions executive and the move casts questions over its program acquisition strategy. In recent times it has picked up hit series including The CW teen drama Gossip Girl and NBC Universal’s The Office: An American Workplace.

The review of Kandola’s position comes ahead of MIP TV and the LA Screenings in May, when international broadcasters acquire the majority of their high-profile US imports.

ITV announced last week that it is to cut its program budget by £65 million (US$92 million) this year and is set to cut over 600 jobs. Other high-profile losses include director of factual and entertainment Jim Allen.