BBC Appoints Tim Davie As New Director General

The BBC has tapped Tim Davie to replace the outgoing Tony Hall as director general.

Davie is set to begin his tenure in September and currently sits as the chief executive of BBC Studios, a commercial offshoot of the BBC that distributes content from the BBC, and other independent sources, around the world. He will be compensated £525,000 ($663,626) a year—£75,000 ($94,803) more than Tony Hall, but £75,000 less than what he made as the head of BBC Studios.

Key background

Davie gained experience in the role after the resignation of George Entwistle in 2012-13 due to the Jimmy Saville scandal as he filled in as acting director general. He infamously defended not firing a single BBC executive after the scandal staying, “success for me is not necessarily how many people I dismiss.” 

Crucial quote

In a statement to the BBC Davie said: “I am honored to be appointed the BBC’s next Director-General. This has been a critical time for the UK and these past few months have shown just how much the BBC matters to people. Our mission has never been more relevant, important or necessary. I have a deep commitment to content of the highest quality and impartiality.

“Looking forward, we will need to accelerate change so that we serve all our audiences in this fast-moving world. Much great work has been done, but we will continue to reform, make clear choices and stay relevant. I am very confident we can do this because of the amazing teams of people that work at the BBC.”

History at the BBC

The BBC Studios executive joined the BBC from Pepsi in 2005 to become director of the BBC’s Marketing, Communications & Audiences division. He’s noted that negotiating the future of the license fee with the government will be his top priority. 

As the chief executive of BBC Studios in 2018/19 Davie’s division generated £243 million ($307 million) in revenue which was all put back into the BBC. 

Current Director-General, Tony Hall, says: “I’m delighted that Tim has been appointed as the next Director-General. He is a fantastic leader. I wish him every success for the future. I know that the BBC is in safe hands.”

Davie becomes the 17th director general in the institution’s 98-year history.