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The BBC named erstwhile Google enforcement Matt Brittin arsenic its caller manager wide connected Wednesday (March 25, 2026), replacing Tim Davie who discontinue past twelvemonth aft a misleading edit of a code by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The BBC is facing a $10 cardinal suit from Mr. Trump, who accuses the publically funded broadcaster of defamation implicit however it spliced together footage of parts of a code helium gave connected January 6, 2021, earlier his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
The broadcaster has argued the lawsuit should beryllium dismissed, saying Mr. Trump's consequent reelection showed the alleged defamation did not harm his reputation.
Mr. Brittin joined Google successful 2007 arsenic caput of UK and Ireland earlier rising done the ranks to become EMEA president successful 2014. He stepped down successful 2024 and volition instrumentality connected the caller relation from May 18.
"This is simply a infinitesimal of existent risk, yet besides existent opportunity. The BBC needs the gait and vigor to beryllium some where stories are, and wherever audiences are," helium said successful a statement.
"To physique connected the reach, spot and originative strengths today, face challenges with courage, and thrive arsenic a nationalist work acceptable for the future. I can’t hold to commencement this work," helium added.
Reflecting his deficiency of editorial oregon broadcast experience, the BBC said helium would name a lawman manager general.
Mr. Brittin, 57, steps successful astatine a captious moment. He volition person to negociate a caller backing colony aft the broadcaster's Royal Charter expires astatine the extremity of 2027. Options see retaining the licence fee paid by TV watching households oregon moving to subscriptions oregon ad-funding.
The BBC is facing a battle to enactment applicable arsenic viewers, peculiarly younger audiences, displacement to streamers and different integer platforms.
The occupation besides comes with aggravated governmental scrutiny, with the BBC taxable to criticism from crossed the spectrum astir its impartiality, putting unit connected an instauration agelong regarded arsenic 1 of Britain's astir trusted and enduring taste fixtures.
