BBC appoints ex-Google chief Matt Brittin as director general

AF Agence France-PresseSouth China Morning PostFiled 2026-03-25 · 14:50 GMTLean · Center-RightRead · 1 min

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NEWSAR · AI

Matt Brittin, former Google executive, has been appointed as the new director general of the BBC. The appointment, announced Wednesday, brings in an individual with no prior experience in television or journalism to lead the British broadcaster. Brittin, who previously headed Google's Europe, Middle East, and Africa division, takes the helm as the BBC navigates a shifting media landscape and faces a US$10 billion lawsuit. He expressed feeling honored to be appointed during a time of risk and opportunity for the BBC. Samir Shah, chairman of the BBC board, cited Brittin's experience in leading complex organizations through transformation as a key reason for his selection.

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Key claims

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Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone.

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Brittin was president for more than a decade of Google’s Europe, Middle East and Africa division.

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The BBC faces a US$10 billion lawsuit brought by US President Donald Trump.

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Matt Brittin has no television or journalism experience.

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BBC appoints ex-Google chief Matt Brittin as director general.

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Full report

1 min read · 150 words

The BBC named a former Google executive with no television or journalism experience as its next director general on Wednesday.The long-expected appointment of Matt Brittin to the high-profile role comes as the under-fire British broadcaster faces drastic shifts in the media landscape and a US$10 billion lawsuit brought by US President Donald Trump.Brittin, 57, said he was honoured to be appointed at a “moment of real risk, yet also real opportunity”.“Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone in a complex, uncertain and fast-changing world,” he added.The British-born executive was president for more than a decade of Google’s Europe, Middle East and Africa division, which earns around a third of its revenue. He had previously worked as a consultant for McKinsey.Samir Shah, chairman of the BBC board, said Brittin “brings to the BBC deep experience of leading a high-profile and highly complex organisation through transformation”.

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