CEO of UK telco BT’s TV service exiting

Marc Watson, the CEO of BT’s television business, is leaving the company.

The telco said he is exiting “to explore new opportunities outside the company”. It added that the search is underway for his replacement with internal and external considered.

BT TV, formerly known as BT Vision, has invested aggressively in sports rights and for its BT Sport channels. It has wrested some Barclays Premier League rights from BSkyB and picked up Aviva Premiership Rugby, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League rights.

It also has coverage of international football and recently extended a deal for rights to Germany’s Bundesliga. About 950,000 UK homes have access to BT TV.

Watson has been at BT for seven years. This morning he said: “I have had a fantastic time at BT, enjoying many years in an amazingly fast and dynamic marketplace. I’m sad to leave but now is the right time for me to take on a fresh challenge.

“I am proud of what we have achieved in BT TV. We have built a top quality TV service from scratch and BT Sport is thriving thanks to the great live sport we’ve secured.”

John Petter, BT consumer chief executive said: “I would like to thank Marc for helping us bring BT TV to a large audience and for helping us to launch BT Sport with the very best live sporting action including top tier football, rugby, tennis and MotoGP rights”.

Gavin Patterson, BT Group CEO added: “Marc has been at the heart of our TV strategy and I am sad to see him leave.”