Matt Brittin, a former executive at Google, has been named the new director general of the BBC, taking over from Tim Davie.
Brittin is scheduled to assume his new role on May 18.
Davie will step down on April 2, having resigned last year due to a scandal involving documentary editing. In the interim, Rhodri Talfan Davies, the BBC’s director of nations, will serve as the acting director-general.
“Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone in a complex, uncertain and fast changing world,” Brittin stated. “At its best, it shows us, and the world, who we are. It’s an extraordinary, uniquely British asset, with over 100 years of innovation in storytelling, technology and powering creativity. I’m honoured and excited to be asked to serve as director-general.”
“Working alongside so many talented journalists, creatives and technicians, across the country and around the world, I join with humility, to listen, to learn, to lead, and to serve the public, working hard to earn their trust every day. This is a moment of real risk, yet also real opportunity. The BBC needs the pace and energy to be both where stories are, and where audiences are. To build on the reach, trust and creative strengths today, confront challenges with courage, and thrive as a public service fit for the future. I can’t wait to start this work.”
Brittin dedicated 18 years to Google before leaving his position as the tech giant’s EMEA president in 2024. He now serves as a non-executive director of Guardian Media Group. In recognition of his contributions to technology and digital skills enhancement, he received a royal honor in January.
Brittin is also known for his athletic achievements, having represented Great Britain as an Olympic rower in 1988.
The appointment of Brittin, a tech industry veteran, marks a significant shift within the BBC, which has evolved over the past century from a radio broadcaster into a vast entity involved in television, streaming, IP licensing, and production, primarily through its commercial arm, BBC Studios. Previous director generals have typically had backgrounds in news or media.
Nonetheless, according to leaked reports in the British press, the position has become a challenging one, with past occupants often resigning amidst internal scandals. Top candidates such as Jay Hunt of Apple TV’s UK operations and Charlotte Moore, former head of content at the BBC and now CEO of Left Bank Pictures, reportedly declined to apply.
Brittin steps into his new role during a tumultuous period for the BBC. The organization is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump over an altered “Panorama” documentary, which led to the resignations of Davie and head of news Deborah Turness, who was once considered a possible successor to Davie. Moreover, the BBC is fighting for its survival as it awaits the renewal of its royal charter, the governing document overseen by the UK Government.
A critical aspect of the charter is funding, which currently comes from a “license fee” paid by anyone watching live television on any device or platform. However, the combination of inflation, a cost of living crisis exacerbated by the Iran war, and declining live television viewership is widening the gap between the BBC’s budget and its expenditures.
The government is reviewing the charter, which is set for renewal at the end of 2027.
