Updated: BBC future media and technology director Ashley Highfield is quitting to become CEO of the Project Kangaroo online TV platform, marking a return to the commercial sector after eight years. The joint BBC Worldwide/ITV/Channel 4 initiative picked former BSkyB (NYSE: BSY) channel and operations director Lesley MacKenzie as CEO when it was unveiled in November, but that was just to get the project up and running.

Highfield: “This is a fantastic opportunity. Kangaroo is a historic partnership with a combination of innovative technology and terrific content and I’m looking forward to transforming the way audiences watch television.” BBCWW CEO John Smith: “His knowledge in the digital media field is world class and he’ll bring tremendous strategic and operational expertise to successfully take the venture forward.” Statement: “Ashley will lead negotiations with third party content owners and the future distribution of the service on other platforms.” C4 CEO Andy Duncan said Highfield was the “ideal CEO” for Kangaroo - a service for which iPlayer has been the precursor. Kangaroo had been slated for a June launch but, aside from that being optimistic, Highfield is likely to want to get the roll-out right.

A former Flextech and NBC boss, Highfield’s pet BBC projects have included the £131 million programme to digitise production and multiplatform output - notably the controversial but successful iPlayer brand. A commercial alternative led by the BBC’s profit-making wing, Kangaroo will offer programming outside iPlayer’s one-week public service window and will, therefore, use both pay-for and ad-supported models.

Highfield has previously grumbled about the slow regulatory approval required for new BBC services. His departure will open a vacuum atop the BBC’s new media activities, but future media and technology controller Erik Huggers is well placed to take over. A former senior director in charge Microsoft’s (NSDQ: MSFT) entertainment business, Huggers has only been in post 11 months, but, with KaZaA alum Anthony Rose, has been charged with rolling out new network infrastructure to deliver programmes digitally. After a developer drain a couple of years ago, the corporation is now better stocked at senior level. FT.com: “The role will be open to external candidates and subject to a ‘rigorous’ process, according to one person familiar with the plans.”

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