SYDNEY: CEO Channel Nine David Gyngell has resigned after less than one year in the job, citing "unhelpful and multilayered management systems" which had rendered his position "untenable".
Gyngell, who joined Australia’s biggest TV network in 1999, said he was not pushed. "The decision was mine, and mine alone," he said.
"I reached the determination that I was simply not prepared to allow my position to be rendered untenable by what I regard as increasingly unhelpful and multilayered management systems developing between Nine and PBL [Publishing & Broadcasting Limited]."
PBL executive chairman James Packer today (9 May) confirmed the resignation and then announced PBL director Sam Chisholm as executive director of PBL’s television interests.
Chisholm will be responsible for appointing a new CEO of Nine.
"David Gyngell leaves Nine with a strong team of experienced professional people in place for Sam to take the network forward," said Packer.
PBL’s television interests include Nine Network stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Darwin, 25% of FOXTEL, 50% of Fox Sports and 33% of Sky News.
Chisholm was chief executive of the Nine Network from 1975 to 1990 before joining British Sky Broadcasting in the UK as chief executive. He returned to Australia in 2000.
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