Tony Ball, the former chief executive of BSkyB and frontrunner to become ITV chief executive, has been appointed as a non-executive director at BT.
Ball, chairman of Germany's largest cable operator, Kabel Deutschland, joins BT's board from 16 July.
"Tony has an outstanding track record of innovation and delivery in the communications industry," said BT chairman Michael Rake. "As BT focuses on the rich opportunities that are presented by combining entertainment with broadband, his drive, knowledge and experience will prove a tremendous asset to the board."
Ball's appointment comes a day after Lord Carter's Digital Britain report highlighted the critical role BT will play in rolling out the next generation of superfast internet networks, to be funded by a new 50p a month fixed telephone line tax.
"The convergence of the computer and the television, entertainment and communications has only just begun and it is clear BT will have an important part to play in shaping the future," said Ball. "I am looking forward to being part of that journey."
Ball, chief executive of BSkyB from 1999 to 2003, has been touted as front runner to take over from ITV's executive chairman Michael Grade as the ailing broadcaster's chief executive.
It has been reported that Ball, who faces competition including BBC Worldwide chief executive John Smith and former Virgin Media senior executive Malcolm Wall, has said that he will shake up ITV's board if he assumes control.
Prior to his time at BSkyB, Ball spent a number of years working in the US where he was the chief executive of News Corporation's Fox/Liberty Networks, which included the FX Networks, Fox SportsNet and more than 20 Regional Sports Channels throughout the country.
He also served as President of Fox Sports International, where he oversaw the creation and the operation of sports television businesses in North America, Latin America, Asia and Australia.
Before going to the US, Ball held a number of senior positions in UK TV, starting his career as a broadcasting engineer at the former ITV company Thames Television.
Ball is also a board member of the Olympic Delivery Authority for the 2012 London Olympic Games and a trustee of the Media Trust. He is a non-executive director of the Spanish cable company ONO.
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