Matt Brittin takes over the leadership of the BBC starting May 18, in a period marked by legal, financial, and audience challenges for the media institution.

BBC has announced the appointment of Matt Brittin, former Google executive, as the new director general, starting May 18, replacing Tim Davie, who resigned last year. Brittin, at 57 years old, takes the helm at a critical time for the media institution, which is facing legal, financial, and editorial relevance challenges.

A $10 billion lawsuit filed by Donald Trump accuses the BBC of defamation, and the institution must negotiate a new funding mechanism before the Royal Charter expires in 2027. Brittin will appoint a deputy director general to cover the editorial area, considering his lack of direct experience in the field. The BBC is also facing a decline in viewership among young people and political pressures related to impartiality. The new director general stated that he sees this period as a time of risk and opportunity for the BBC.