Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon to Step Down After Nearly Eight Years
Alex Mahon, the chief executive of Channel 4, has announced that she will be stepping down from her position after nearly eight years at the helm. According to a report by The Guardian, Mahon, who joined Channel 4 in 2017 as the first female CEO in the broadcaster’s four-decade history, will leave the company in the summer.
During her tenure, Mahon played a crucial role in fighting off an attempt to privatise Channel 4. She was instrumental in navigating the broadcaster through the pandemic, although her leadership was criticised when bosses and staff took home millions in bonuses amid talks with the government about tapping a £75m credit facility to weather the coronavirus shutdown. As The Guardian previously reported, Mahon’s pay packet was also a subject of controversy, with the 51-year-old taking home the biggest pay packet of any chief executive in Channel 4 history.
Mahon will be replaced on an interim basis by the chief operating officer, Jonathan Allan. The Guardian understands that potential candidates for the top job include Allan, who applied and lost out to Mahon last time round, and the broadcaster’s chief content officer, Ian Katz. Externally, the role is likely to pique the interest of Apple’s European creative boss, Jay Hunt, who had been the favourite to take over from outgoing chief executive David Abraham in 2017.
Dawn Airey, interim chair at Channel 4, paid tribute to Mahon’s leadership, stating that she "has been one of the most impactful chief executives since Jeremy Isaacs’ founding of Channel 4 more than 42 years ago." Mahon has also led a strategic shift to move Channel 4 away from its historic dependence on the declining traditional TV ad market. While the state-owned, commercially funded broadcaster still relies on advertising for about 80% of all income, digital revenues from its streaming operation passed the 30% mark last year – a year ahead of target.
In her time at the helm, Mahon has navigated Channel 4 through several high-profile incidents, including the threat to review Channel 4’s broadcasting remit in 2019 after the channel decided to replace then prime minister Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture during a climate change debate. More recently, Mahon has been addressing the fallout from accusations made against Russell Brand when he made shows for Channel 4 in the noughties.
Mahon had paved the way for deep cost-cutting, including moving to sell Channel 4’s London headquarters of 20 years. She told a committee of MPs that the TV industry was facing the worst advertising downturn since the 2008 financial crisis, describing it as "market shock territory". Big cuts to Channel 4’s content budget, and pausing some recommissions, put severe strain on the hundreds of independent producers reliant on Channel 4. A backlash from the industry resulted in Channel 4 bosses "deferring" retention bonuses, loyalty payments meant to be in recognition of their commitment during the government’s aborted plans to privatise the broadcaster.
As part of Channel 4’s successful defence against privatisation, Mahon promised to significantly increase the broadcaster’s presence outside London. The broadcaster has a "national headquarters" in Leeds – and creative hubs in Bristol and Glasgow – with employee numbers in the "nations and regions" on track to reach 600 this year. Mahon has also overseen the introduction of several successful shows, including The Great British Bake Off, which was poached from the BBC by Jay Hunt during his time at Channel 4.
"Working at Channel 4 has been a lifetime privilege because Channel 4 is the most extraordinary organisation," Mahon said, as quoted by The Guardian. "From navigating the threat of privatisation … to shifting out of London, to digital transformation, lockdowns, political upheaval, advertising chaos – there has never been a dull moment." As The Guardian reports, Mahon’s departure will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of Channel 4.
