Programming chief exits CTV in rejig

Phil King has left his post as programming boss at Canadian network CTV as part of a management reshuffle.

King (pictured) has been president of CTV and sports programming for parent company Bell Media since 2010 and is also its entertainment chief, but exits as part of a restructure implemented by new Bell president Mary Ann Turcke.

According to an internal memo cited by The Globe and Mail, also exiting are Chris Gordon, president of radio and local TV; Adam Ashton, senior VP of English TV and business operations; and Charles Benoît, Bell’s president of TV and radio in Quebec.

The departures come after Turcke replaced Kevin Crull as president. Crull left after allegedly attempting to interfere with coverage of a regulatory decision regarding the Canadian TV industry.

It is expected Turcke will announce King’s replacement at a press event this morning local Canadian time. The Globe and Mail linked Universal Music Canada president and CEO Randy Lennox to be named in the post.

The role includes working up local formats, acquiring programming and, significantly, buying US network shows, which continue to rate well in Canada.

“As we confront a fast-changing multimedia landscape, Bell Media must evolve our business and team in order to compete and grow now and into the future,” Turcke said in the staff memo.

“In a time of unprecedented competitive intensity and ongoing technological and regulatory change, we are restructuring our organization to ensure Bell Media is ready to maximise every opportunity to expand our leadership with viewers and listeners across the country.”

Before his current post at CTV, King was president of sports network TSN for six years, having worked at the Bell-owned channel since 1989.

CTV couldn’t be contacted today for comment.