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S4C lines up new CEO

Welsh public broadcaster S4C is reportedly close to confirming a top A+E Networks exec as its new CEO, but a contract wrangle is holding up the deal.

Ian Jones is currently MD of content distribution and commercial development for A+E Networks International in New York – a position he took up last November.

Reports in the Welsh press say he has been chosen as the new CEO for S4C. While the pubcaster won’t confirm this, it has appointed a new chief but contractual wrangles are holding up a formal announcement.

A spokesman for S4C told C21: “The S4C Authority came to a decision last Friday regarding a new chief executive but because of contractual matters in relation to the individual’s present employer it is not possible to make a further statement at this stage.”

A+E declined to comment when contacted by C21, but Jones is known to be under a long-term contract with the firm.

Jones, a Welsh speaker, previously worked as president of National Geographic International. He was also MD of UK-based distributor Target Entertainment but left after a restructure in 2009.

Last week, S4C was criticised by former Welsh heritage minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas for the delay in announcing a new CEO.

The broadcaster has been looking for a new chief since the middle of 2010 when Iona Jones left the post. It was later reported that she was taking S4C to an employment tribunal over her departure. Arwel Ellis Owen has been acting CEO in the meantime.

The broadcaster is facing sweeping budget cuts with the UK government making £83m (US$127m) available for it in 2012, having provided £101m last year and £90m in 2011. Earlier this week, five people climbed on to the roof of S4C’s Cardiff building to protest at the cuts.

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