New chief for Project Kangaroo

Ashley Highfield, the BBC’s director of future media and technology, is leaving the BBC to become the chief executive of ‘Project Kangaroo’, a joint venture between BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4.

Highfield led the development of the BBC’s iPlayer on demand TV service.

Project Kangaroo will provide content from the joint venture partners over the internet worldwide, and is expected be based on a pay per view or advertising model.

Kangaroo will differ from other video download services in that it can be better integrated on a station’s website.

It is expected to encourage the takeup of online video and boost revenues for the partners by attracting interest from advertisers.

Highfield will replace Leslie MacKenzie, the temporary chief executive of Kangaroo.