MTV boss tipped for TVNZ chief's job

Brent Hansen

Expatriate New Zealander Brent Hansen has quit as boss of MTV Europe, fuelling speculation that he may become TVNZ's new chief executive.

Mr Hansen, who has spent the past 15 years at MTV, has not publicly commented on why he resigned or what he will do next.

There has been speculation in US media that Mr Hansen, who made his name in New Zealand as producer of the iconic 1980s music programme Radio with Pictures, will return to New Zealand to run TVNZ.

Last night TVNZ would not comment.

Since Ian Fraser's shock resignation four months ago, the state broadcaster's assistant chief executive officer, Stephen Smith, and chief financial officer, Rodney Parker, have been sharing CEO duties.

Mr Hansen quit his MTV job last week, saying simply: "With nearly two decades at MTV Networks, I've decided this is the right time in the company's history for me to resign and move on."

Mr Hansen has been based in Britain since Radio with Pictures ended in 1986 after a dispute with the music industry over payment for videos. He oversaw the creation of the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Mr Hansen has previously criticised Idol-type talent shows for producing a string of manufactured stars who are doing nothing for the music industry.