Charles Allen's TV years

CHARLIE’S SHEEN: EMI Music’s new Executive Chairman had a roller-coaster ride in the TV industry, according to the Wall Street Journal’s Paul Sonne. Charles Allen spent over a decade at the British media company Granada, spearheading a 2004 merger with Carlton Communications to create ITV. The deal, marked by a host of political and regulatory obstacles, was seen as a major coup, and Allen subsequently took over as CEO. But falling viewing figures and a slump in ad revenue led to Allen announcing his resignation in 2006 under pressure from ITV shareholders. Though he found some success in navigating thorny British media regulations, Allen was also criticized for the failure of ITV Digital, a pay platform, and the influx of reality shows on the network. (3/11a)