Former Google executive Matt Brittin selected to be next BBC director general

Matt Brittin, Google’s former top executive in Europe, has been named the BBC’s next director general.
Brittin, who stepped down as Google’s president in Europe, the Middle East and Africa last year, will replace Tim Davie at a crucial time for the corporation, as it hammers out its future funding model with the government.
The 57-year-old’s appointment was confirmed after a BBC board discussion on Thursday.
Brittin, a former Olympic rower and Doctor Who fan, was seen as a substantial figure capable of diving straight into crucial government talks over the renewal of the BBC’s royal charter.
However, his lack of editorial experience has been noted by insiders, who worry about his ability to deal with the periodic crises that occur at the corporation.
The BBC is now expected to create the role of deputy director general to support Brittin. That figure is expected to have serious editorial experience. A new head of BBC News will also be appointed.
Brittin said: “Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone in a complex, uncertain and fast-changing world. 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.
“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.”
Samir Shah, the BBC’s chair, said Brittin had “deep experience of leading a high-profile and highly complex organisation through transformation”.
The appointment comes after some early favourites for the role dropped out or declined to apply amid concerns that scrutiny and political attacks aimed at the BBC have made leading it one of the hardest jobs in public life.
Davie, the outgoing director general, resigned after highly contested claims of bias were made by a former external BBC adviser. It also followed the BBC’s apology for the way it edited a speech by Donald Trump, which led the US president to sue.
Brittin, who also served as a non-executive director on the Guardian Media Group’s board, arrives with the BBC in the process of identifying major cuts as it negotiates with the government over its future funding. It is expected that he will have to make difficult decisions over staffing levels and programming.
The licence fee model is also under pressure, with more people opting not to pay. The corporation’s leadership has been pushing for a reformed licence fee that would result in more homes paying less.
Brittin’s lengthy career at Google will also be significant in his new job. He arrives at New Broadcasting House with the BBC laying out plans to save considerable costs using a new tech division. It is also trying to forge a new relationship with YouTube, which is owned by Google.
YouTube has become an ever more influential platform, with bigger audiences of all ages viewing content on it. Last year, the television replaced laptops, tablets and smartphones as the most common device used by UK viewers to watch YouTube at home.
Ministers and the media regulator, Ofcom, are pushing for YouTube to give the BBC and other public service broadcasters greater prominence on the platform.
While YouTube has offered broadcasters the ability to reach new audiences, there have also been concerns at the BBC that placing too much of its content on the platform will hand even greater power to big tech.
Brittin’s appointment means the BBC is still waiting for its first female director general. He emerged as the favourite after several highly rated women pulled out of the process or did not apply.
Charlotte Moore, until recently the BBC’s chief content officer, who now runs Left Bank Pictures, did not apply for the job.
Jay Hunt, the former BBC One controller and Channel 4 chief creative officer who is now at Apple TV, and Alex Mahon, who was Channel 4’s chief executive until leaving last year to run the events company Superstruct, also did not pursue the role.
Brittin will be able to install himself quickly in his new role. He left Google last year and deliberately took time off, which he described as a “mini gap year”.
He began his career as a business strategy consultant. He moved to Google in 2007 after a brief period at publisher Trinity Mirror, which has since been renamed Reach.
Like Davie, he is an advocate for the benefits of AI and has previously urged the TV industry to “leap and to learn” from the technology.
Brittin, who was a member of the British Olympic rowing team in 1988, is also a non-executive director of Guardian Media Group.