ITV has named Paul Dale as its new chief technology officer. The former CTO of Malaysian pay-TV operator Astro has previously worked for both the BBC and BSkyB and will now lead ITV’s newly formed Technology and Platforms directorate, with responsibility for transmission, broadcast services and platforms.
“ITV has lagged behind its competitors for too long in terms of technology. Paul’s arrival signals a commitment to reshape completely our digital future, said ITV chief executive Adam Crozier. “At Astro, he led the transformation of the company into an innovative 2010 platform. His experience and expertise will be vital as we continue with our plan to transform ITV.” Dale will be the first CTO to sit on ITV’s management board.
“Every technology-dependent business has the ability to grow and remain relevant in a changing world,” said Dale. “With the right technology behind them, broadcasters, content owners and, more importantly, ITV have a wealth of opportunity ahead. As CTO, I will be working with the management team to progress the transformation plan, unlocking ITV’s full potential to create a sustainable business with more ways for viewers to watch and interact with ITV’s great brands and content.”
Lancaster University educated Dale became an apprentice technician for British Nuclear Fuels before gaining his first taste of broadcasting as a founder and director of community radio station Bailrigg FM, where he spent three years. He became a project manager for NDS before joining British Interactive Broadcasting as its head of development in 1999, moving through its various iterations as Open and Sky Interactive.
Dale was made the BBC’s first controller of Future Media and Technology in 2007, moving to Kuala Lumpur as CTO of Astro in 2008.
