The Daily Telegraph

Monday 01 February 2010

ITN ex-chairman to head yoga channel

MARK Wood, the former chairman and chief executive of ITN, has a new mission – to get the nation fit.

Mr Wood has been named chairman of Media Health and Fitness, which is set to become Europe’s biggest health and fitness broadcaster following the merger of Body in Balance and Fitness TV.

He said the two companies, which broadcast yoga, pilates and gym workouts on Sky TV, are both turning over more than £1m a year. They were founded 18 months ago.

“Fitness and well-being are booming markets in the UK, as people are realising they need to take better care of themselves,” he said.

Body in Balance, which currently broadcasts in 15 countries, including the UK, Germany and Switzerland, won the Eutelsat award for best European lifestyle channel in 2009. It can reach up to 15m homes.

Media Health and Fitness will retain both brands and continue to broadcast both channels.

Mr Wood spent seven years in charge of ITN and prior to that was editor-in-chief of Reuters, the news agency.