Satellite broadcaster BSkyB has confirmed that chief executive Tony Ball is to step down after four years at the helm.
Mr Ball will continue in the role until a successor is appointed, which BSkyB said was likely to be well before his contract ends on May 31.
Since taking over as chief executive, Mr Ball has seen subscriber numbers double to almost seven million with annual revenues now at £3.19 billion.
But speculation about his departure has been rife in recent weeks with reports this weekend linking BSkyB chairman Rupert Murdoch's 31-year-old son James to the top job. He is currently in charge of Star TV in Asia.
