Head of Film4 quits

[BGonaSTICK]

Tom Sykes, head of UK terrestrial Channel 4's digital film channel, Film4, has quit just three days after its relaunch as a free-to-air service.

C4 has yet to announce a replacement strategy for Sykes, who leaves in mid September and is expected to make an announcement about his plans soon.

Film4 relaunched as a free service on all digital platforms on Sunday July 23, on "the most successful ever debut night for a new digital channel," according to the channel.

Kevin Lygo, C4's director of television, said: "The relaunch of Film4 has been highly complex, involving many different departments within C4, and Tom has masterminded it with calm authority and a keen eye for every detail. The success of the relaunch is a fitting reward for so much painstaking hard work from Tom and his team over the last eight years."

Sykes, who oversaw C4 entertainment channel E4's launch in 2001, said: "Film4 had a brilliant start as a free channel, delivering significant audiences for the network, and this is the logical moment for me to move on to new challenges."

Film4 claimed it is still making an impact with multi-channel audiences, securing an average 1.3% share of viewing in its first three days on air, which placed it amongst the 10 highest-rating digital channels during that period.