Kip Meek has resigned as the Non-Executive Chairman of YouView to be replaced by Lord Sugar with immediate effect. YouView intends to bring an on-demand set-top box to consumers which will deliver content from portals such as BBC iPlayer and 4oD direct to consumer's TV screens. Meek joined the Project Canvas board (as it was then known before re-branding to YouView) in July 2010, stepping down from his positions at Phorm and the Broadband Stakeholder Group, having previously held board level positions at Ofcom.
"It has been apparent for some time that the YouView board would benefit from additional expertise in consumer marketing and technology delivery. Lord Sugar clearly supplies this. As the venture progresses towards launch, the change in Chairman makes sense. I wish Lord Sugar well."
Kip Meek, (former Non-Executive Chairman) YouView
Lord Sugar, through his former company Amstrad, has had considerable experience of the set-top box industry with Amstrad supplying around 75% of Sky Digital boxes in 2007 before the company was purchased by BSkyB. Charles Dunstone, speaking on behalf of the joint venture shareholders (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva), said that he couldn't think of anyone better to help bring YouView into people's homes.
YouView has been subject to delays with the set-top boxes expected to be launched in early 2012, delayed from an original launch which was planned for the first half of 2011.
"Kip Meek, you're fired"