Head of content leaves U.K.'s Five
Move follows CEO departure
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Opie, appointed by Lighting two years ago, is to quit the RTL-owned terrestrial web with immediate effect.
Her swift exit is a blow to Five, which desperately needs a period of stability following recent upheavals and the fact that new chairman and CEO Dawn Airey is unlikely to start at Five for many months due to her contractual obligations at rival ITV.
In a statement Opie, who prior to joining Five worked with Lighting at U.K. multi-channel provider Flextech, said: “I have had a very enjoyable 18 months working with Jane Lighting and the team here at Five.
“The changes we have made during that time have given Five, and its digital channels, Five US and the recently rebranded Fiver, a strong start to the year and a good platform for the future.”
She added: “Five is in good health, but Jane’s departure and the arrival of Dawn Airey as chairman of Five means that it is time for a change.”
It is understood that Five does not plan to recruit a successor to Opie.
Sources at Five ruled out any more high-level changes at the battling broadcaster, whose new program director, Ben Gale, starts later this month — not a moment too soon.
Earlier this week, Airey stunned the U.K. TV industry and infuriated her bosses by ankling as head of ITV Global Content despite only being in the job for a mere eight months.
