BBC's Radio 5 Live gets a new chief

Bob Shennan, currently head of BBC Sport, is to be the new controller of Radio 5 Live.

Mr Shennan, 38, joined the BBC in 1987 as a trainee producer in Radio Sport soon after graduating from Cambridge. He was part of the original team that set up and launched Radio 5 Live.

"This is a dream job for me, one I've always wanted to do," he said yesterday. "It's a great privilege to be given responsibility for such a terrific and successful network."

Mr Shennan replaces Roger Mosey, who moved to be head of Television News. It is significant that the new controller has a sports rather than a news background. While the station's news and sport mix will remain the same, the next big issue for Radio 5 Live will be retaining premier league rights. The present contract runs out in 2001 season, and Mr Shennan will be closely involved in negotiations for a new contract.