Tonight:
5°c
A tale of two broadcasting moguls
23 Apr 2009Michael Grade
Age: 66
First job: Sports journalist on Daily Mirror
Current job: Executive chairman, ITV
Career highlights: Controller, BBC1, chief executive, Channel Four, chairman, BBC Governors
Contributions to TV: Scrapped Dr Who in the mid-Eighties before bringing it back almost two decades later. Gave Neighbours an evening slot on advice of daughter who could not watch it in the daytime
Marital status: Married to third wife Francesca. One son Samuel; two children from previous marriage
Wealth rating: Substantial but not off the scale. Picked up £2 million in 2007 but had to take huge cut last year because of ITV's dismal financial performance
Football club: director of
Charlton Athletic
Tan: A healthy all-year round “long-haul taupe”.
They said: “Britain's pornographer-in-chief” — Paul Johnson
Silvio Berlusconi
Age: 73
First job: Cruise ship crooner
Current job: Prime Minister of the Italian Republic (for third time)
Career highlights: Built Italy's first commercial TV network Mediaset. Now owns three TV channels as well as publishing, banking and other interests
Contributions to TV: Blamed for dumbing down Italian TV with game shows and soap operas. Introduced Colpo Grosso, a game show where contestants strip off
Marital status: Married to second wife Lario. Five children from previous relationships
Wealth rating: Italy's third wealthiest man with fortune estimated at $6.5 billion
Football club: Owner of AC Milan
Tan: Italian satsuma
They said: “What is it? Why does he have to shout?” — The Queen at recent G20 summit
