Channel 4's Michael Jackson quit his post as chief exec last Monday for a move across the pond to Barry Diller's USA Entertainment Group.
Diller apparently spent a year luring Jackson to the States before the 43 year old finally relented after four thoroughly successful years at the Channel. The British TV boss will head Diller's cable channels, TV production arm and USA Films from both New York and Los Angeles.
After entering serious talks at the start of July, Jackson agreed to become the president and CEO of USA Entertainment Group from an unconfirmed date. Charged with overseeing Diller’s various networks as well as the mini-studio currently run by Scott Greenstein and responsible for co-financing and releasing films such as Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic.
Jackson will mirror the likes of David Puttnam and Michael Grade who made similar moves from power positions in the UK to even more influencial seats in Hollywood.
Jackson was quoted on the day, "My next challenge at USA Entertainment is to lead a major group of media assets, marrying both mass and specialist interests, and I am excited by the prospect of operating in an entirely new market."
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Channel 4's Michael Jackson quit his post as chief exec last Monday for a move across the pond to Barry Diller's USA Entertainment Group.