All eyes on Murdoch’s son as BSkyB chief executive quits

British pay television company BSkyB said on Tuesday that chief executive Tony Ball was leaving and it was looking for a new CEO — with...

British pay television company BSkyB said on Tuesday that chief executive Tony Ball was leaving and it was looking for a new CEO — with the odds on the youngest son of media baron Rupert Murdoch taking the top job.

British Sky Broadcasting confirmed speculation that Ball — who had steered the company through its digital makeover and back to profit — had decided not to renew his contract after four years at the helm.

The satellite TV company, 34-percent owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, said Ball will continue in his role until a successor is appointed. It said in a statement that this was likely to be well before Ball’s contract ends in May 31, next year.

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But many felt the firm had already chosen its heir apparent. ‘‘James Murdoch looks like the odds-on favourite,’’ said SGSecurities analyst Anthony de Larrinaga.

Analysts also note that James Murdoch is young but already has experience of running a pay television business — Star TV. James Murdoch, who has generally kept a low public profile, took the helm of the Pan-Asian broadcaster in 2002, and steered it to its first operating profit in the year to end-June. James is also a member of BSkyB’s board. Reuters