Channel 4 finally has a new top man. The broadcaster announced on Friday that it was hiring David Abraham, currently the boss of digital channel network UKTV, to take over from Andy Duncan, who stood down as C4 CEO last November.

C4 Chairman Terry Burns, himself new to the job, told reporters: "The board spoke to a number of other candidates and considered many more as part of a very thorough process and we're convinced that, in David, we have identified a creative manager of the highest quality. He has a track record of success as a chief executive and the right mix of skills to get all parts of Channel 4 working together to unlock our full creative and commercial potential and complete our transition into digital".

Abraham had been tipped as a stronger contender for the C4 top job, though his appointment has been met with a mixed reception. The state owned Channel 4, of course, is faced with an uncertain future as it tries to continue to provide public service television in the face of falling advertising revenues. A closer alliance with the BBC's commercial division BBC Worldwide seems likely, which is possibly why Abraham is well qualified for the job, UKTV being half owned by Worldwide.