BBC’s Interactive TV Exec Chakkara Heads To TalkTalk

After Anthony Rose, another BBC iPlayer exec may be Canvas-bound for his next challenge.

BBC future media TV platforms controller Rahul Chakkara is leaving after six years with Auntie to be online director at TalkTalk.

That doesn’t necessarily mean a Canvas-specific role at the ISP-and-telco but, as C21 observes: “It is likely that he will play a role in how TalkTalk TV evolves as Canvas set-top boxes become available next year.”

TalkTalk, which has been spun off from Carphone Warehouse after the latter swallowed Tiscali UK last year, is a Canvas JV member and will next year be offering access to the free connected-TV system over its broadband lines.

Broadcast reported a year ago that Chakkara wouldn’t take up an invitation to move with the interactive TV team to Media City in Salford, Manchester.

BBC future media and technology’s online controller Anthony Rose is now becoming chief technology officer for Project Canvas itself.

BBC IPTV director Richard Halton runs the BBC’s Canvas involvement, though the JV is now expected to appoint its own head.