Hunt for Channel 4 head 'begins'

The BBC's Mark Thompson: A leading candidate

Channel 4 was expected to begin its hunt on Monday for a successor to Michael Jackson, chief executive of the channel, who is leaving for a post in the US.

Interviews are reported to begin this week for what is often called the best job in British TV.

Channel 5's Dawn Airey: Worked at C4 in past

The post is said to have attracted a number of strong candidates and Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli has emerged as a leading contender - though Endemol head Peter Bazalgette remains the bookies' favourite.

The process could be ratified by the next Channel 4 directors' meeting on 29 October, but it is unlikely that a final decision will be reached in time.

Contacts

Lord Alli's candidacy is favoured by those who believe that, with advertising revenues declining and commercial TV facing a tough future, Channel 4 needs a corporate boss with commercial know-how - rather than an "ideas" person.

Lord Alli, 36, has close links with New Labour and some feel his contacts would be useful in any future disagreements between Channel 4 and the Treasury - which is understood to be considering charging the TV station for the use of the airwaves.

Leading candidates

Lord Alli
Carlton Productions managing director

Peter Bazalgette
Endemol UK creative director

Mark Thompson
BBC director of television

Jane Root
BBC Two controller

Dawn Airey
Channel 5 chief executive

Peter Fincham
Talkback Productions manager

The peer set up the Planet 24 production company - which made The Word, TFI Friday and Don't Forget Your Toothbrush - and went on to head Carlton Productions.

Peter Bazalgette is the creative director of Endemol Entertainment, the company responsible for lifestyle hits like Changing Rooms, Ground Force and Big Brother.

Mr Bazalgette has piloted the independent TV company to success and is said to be a popular choice within Channel 4.

Serious contender

Two BBC figures feature in the shortlist, as reported by Media Guardian.

Mark Thompson, BBC director of TV, is seen as a serious contender, though some feel his lack of commercial TV experience may count against him.

Root: BBC Two head, but independent TV experience

And Jane Root, Controller of BBC Two, is seen as having had a successful tenure at the channel - and used to be joint manager of an independent production company, Wall To Wall.

Channel 5 chief executive Dawn Airey and Talkback Productions manager Peter Fincham are two more candidates seen as strong runners.

Others at longer odds include Telewest chief executive Adam Singer, Telewest broadband manager David Docherty, former Channel 5 head David Elstein and the boss of Australia's Channel Nine, David Leckie.

The post pays £536,000 per year.