JUST days after he spoke to the GG2 Power List, Bal Samra dropped a bombshell. After 30 years in the BBC, the most recent being as its group commercial director, and the most senior Asian, he was leaving the corporation.

His boss, the new director-general, Tim Davie, said, “Bal has made a significant mark on our industry and on the BBC, connecting creativity to business opportunities for the benefit of audiences. His commercial acumen and skill are widely-recognised and respected across the broadcasting industry. We wish Bal all the very best with his future and thank him for his outstanding contribution to the BBC.”

That is understating it a little. The GG2 Power List caught up with Samra a few days before the surprise announcement. “It’s time for my next big adventure,” he tells us.

“Look, I don’t want to go into details, but I’ve a number of ideas and I want to develop them in the coming months. I’ve had an amazing time at the BBC, my colleagues, and my various teams, have been magnificent.”

Despite the pandemic, Samra has been busy and successful in the past year. He led the team which launched Britbox, a subscription platform which shows the best dramas and soaps the two companies have made and are making. Favourites such as Eastenders, Coronation Street, Dr Who and Downton Abbey.

Two rival broadcasters, ITV and the BBC, are working together in a commercial venture.

“Part of Britbox and its fundamental purposes are to have a commercial proposition that is full of British content, and that’s so important, in my view, for the whole ecosystem of the UK public service broadcasting. Without that, we’re going to have a diminishing focus on British talent, British producers, British content, so it’s a very big partnership.

“Last year I