The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) announced on Tuesday morning that Danny Cohen, its director of television, is leaving the corporation after eight years at the company.
Cohen and the BBC announced his departure in a press release, revealing that Cohen would leave the company at the end of November in order to pursue an unconfirmed new leadership role. Cohen thanked the BBC's television team, his executive board colleagues and the BBC's director-general Tony Hall.
"After eight wonderful years at the BBC, it is time for my next big challenge," Cohen said. "In the last few weeks I've been approached about a number of exciting opportunities and I want to consider these in an open and transparent way.
"I'm very proud of the wide-ranging success of BBC Television under my leadership," he continued. "There has never been a more exciting time for television and digital media. I'm looking forward to taking up a new leadership role in this age of intense creative and technological innovation."
In response to Cohen's resignation, Hall said, "Danny has done an extraordinary job over the last eight years at the BBC...He is one of TV's great talents. I know everyone who has worked with Danny has huge admiration for what he has delivered for the BBC. I want to wish him well for the future."
Cohen, who commissioned some of the BBC's hugely successful shows including Call The Midwife, Poldark and Last Tango in Halifax, joined the company from Channel 4 in 2007 and became director of television in 2012.
His job involved overseeing the BBC's four main channels: BBC One, Two, Three and Four as well as iPlayer, and the online content for BBC Television.
According to BBC News, Cohen faced criticism in July after asking celebrities to sign a letter sent to British Prime Minister David Cameron, that defended the corporation against proposed government cuts.
The company is currently funded by a licence fee of up to 145.50 pounds ($221) for every household in the U.K. that owns a television.
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