BBC Studios CEO Tim Davie Becomes Second TV Exec To Turn Down English Premier League Chief Role

BBC Studios boss Tim Davie has become the second high-profile TV executive to turn down the chance to run the English Premier League.

Davie, who is CEO of the commercial and production division of the British public broadcaster, has decided to stay at the company, according to the Financial Times.

This comes after Animal Planet’s Global President Susanna Dinnage did a U-turn and chose to remain at Discovery after initially accepting the position of CEO of the British soccer league.

Davie, who has held a number of roles at the BBC including a period as interim Director General, was reportedly the Premier League’s second choice after Dinnage’s shock decision over Christmas. However, the FT reports that he has reassured colleague that he was happy and intended to stay.

It means that the Premier League’s five-person panel, chaired by Chelsea’s Bruce Buck, has extended the search. Other names in the frame include ITV’s director of strategy Tom Betts and BT’s outgoing CEO Gavin Patterson. Richard Masters, the league’s managing director, is acting as interim chief executive.

It’s clear that the Premier League is keen on a TV boss, someone who can help secure lucrative broadcasting contracts, both in the UK and abroad.