Channel 4 chief quits for US

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Man who brought us Big Brother makes his own exit

The chief executive of Channel 4, Michael Jackson, announced yesterday he was leaving to take up a job in the United States. He is joining the USA Entertainment Group as the company's chief executive, based in New York.

His departure date has not been announced but Channel 4 said it would soon begin advertising for his replacement.

Mr Jackson joined Channel 4 in July 1997 and described his time with the station as "constant source of stimulation". But the former BBC1 and BBC2 controller said he was looking forward to working in a new market. "I've done what I set out to do at C4. I've rejuvenated the programming [and] laid down the digital future ... now it's time to try something different.

Mr Jackson has overseen the commissioning of programmes such as Big Brother and Da Ali G Show.