Who are the favourites for the BBC director general job?

Whoever steps into the shoes of BBC director general Tony Hall when he departs in the summer will face a series of unprecedented challenges.

As one of the best-known and most respected public service broadcasters in the world, the position of director general is a coveted role. But with a pressing to-do list that includes defending the licence fee, dealing with rising competition from OTT platforms and the perennial problem of attracting younger audiences, some may be put off the role, especially those currently working in the commercial sector who would inevitably have to take a substantial pay cut. 

The BBC has only ever been led by male director generals, so there will also be pressure on the corporation - which recently lost an equal pay dispute to presenter Samira Ahmed - to consider appointing a female.

• Read more: BBC director general Tony Hall to step down

One of the key challenges is how the BBC tackles the increasing cost of content driven by more competition. At the same time, that competition for eyeballs means the BBC audience is shrinking, all while its main source of revenue is under attack.

John Whittingdale, who was UK Culture Secretary from May 2015 until July 2016, has said Hall’s departure should open up a debate on the BBC’s funding model. Speaking to the Guardian, Whittingdale said the rise of OTT services “does raise questions about the sustainability and how we continue to support public service broadcasting generally”.

In other words, whoever replaces Hall will need to find ways of justifying the cost of the licence fee when the BBC carries out its mid-term review in 2022.

Hall’s successor will be picked by the BBC board of Trustees, and will inherit a fractured relationship with the existing Conservative government; the aftermath of an equal pay dispute, and challenges around diversity and accusations of political bias.

A report from the MailOnline claims that Boris Johnson’s government will intervene should the BBC pick an “unsuitable successor”. According to Downing Street sources, the new director general will face the sack unless they embrace major reforms.

So, the major question for the industry, is who will take on the task of running the BBC?

Charlotte Moore

Currently, the BBC’s director of content, Moore oversees a £1bn budget at the corporation and has commissioned a raft of popular content, such as The Bodyguard and Luther. In the role since 2016, Moore was formerly controller of BBC1 until the role of channel controllers was abolished.

She has been with the BBC since 2006 and is tipped by many to become the first female director general. A former documentary maker, she is comfortable in front of the media. At last year’s Edinburgh International Television Festival, she spoke on the importance of Ofcom’s decision to allow the BBC to air shows on BBC iPlayer for 12 months after first broadcast. However, some have questioned her lack of commercial experience.

Alex Mahon

Experience of heading of a broadcaster in the current climate could be invaluable to the new DG. That is partly why Alex Mahon, chief executive at Channel 4, is one name being touted for the role.

• Read more: Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon hits out at streamers

Not one known for pulling her punches, Mahon has spoken widely about the challenges posed by FAANGs and was one of the first women to lead a major broadcaster in the UK. She also oversaw the move of some of Channel 4’s operations outside of London – something that Hall’s successor will also face.

Whether Mahon would leave Channel 4 for the BBC is another question, although she has potentially highly valuable government experience, having worked as a member of the DCMS advisory panel. She’s also proven herself willing to stand up to government pressure after the Conservatives accused Channel 4 of showing bias during the 2019 general election.

Sharon White

A real outside bet is the departing chief executive of regulator Ofcom, Sharon White. White quit Ofcom last year to take on the role of chair of the John Lewis Partnership, but she has yet to take up her seat.

• Read more: Ofcom appoints Oxley as interim chief

During her tenure, she has overseen Ofcom’s increased oversight of the BBC and is popular within Whitehall, having previously served in the Treasury overseeing the public finances. Whether White would be willing to ditch John Lewis for the BBC is the biggest question, making her something of an outside bet, however, her policy experience would stand her in good stead for the inevitable upcoming wranglings with the government.