Michael Grade to be BBC chairman
From CNN's Melissa Gray
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Michael Grade, known for his controversial programming decisions as much as for his extensive background in television news, will be the new chairman of the BBC.
The appointment of Grade -- formerly head of Channel Four -- was confirmed by the government and approved by Queen Elizabeth II, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's office said Friday.
The naming of Grade, 61, comes two months after the Hutton Report harshly criticized the BBC for airing reports that the government "sexed up" a dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
The Hutton Report said the claims were "unfounded."
The government's criticism of the public broadcaster led to several high-profile resignations and soul-searching at the BBC about its editorial policies.
Gavyn Davies, the former BBC chairman, resigned just after the report was issued. Director-General Greg Dyke and Andrew Gilligan -- the reporter who made the claims -- resigned soon afterwards.
Grade began his career in 1960 at the Daily Mirror, where he later worked as a sports columnist.
He moved on to become program director at London Weekend Television.
He first joined the BBC as controller of BBC One in 1984. Two years later, he became program director of BBC TV.
A BBC article from 2001 said Grade was "widely seen to have had a feel for popular TV," realizing the potential of the much-watched soap opera "EastEnders" and the live broadcast of Live Aid in 1985.
Grade became chief executive of Channel Four Television in 1988.
The BBC said Grade was responsible for putting Channel Four on a "sound financial footing" and increasing viewership.
But his controversial programming decisions led one newspaper columnist to dub Grade "pornographer-in-chief."
Since 1997, Grade has held top positions at an entertainment company and a film and television studio.
