Canadian Broadcasting Corp. EVP Richard Stursberg has left the public broadcaster after six years as head of its English language TV service.

No reason was given for the sudden departure.

CBC president Hubert T. Lacroix in a statement paid tribute to Stursberg, indicating he ‘brought with him a revolution that shook the foundation of the organization and eventually of the whole of our English services.’

‘Six years later, the institution is better off than it was. I want to acknowledge his success in turning CBC Television around and thank him for his contribution,’ Lacroix added.

Stursberg’s position will be filled on an interim basis by Kirstine Stewart, general manager of CBC Television, until a permanent replacement is found.

His tenure at the CBC was marked by a relentless push towards ratings with more commercially-driven shows in primetime, and repeated run-ins with unionized employees that included a 2005 work stoppage and 2009 job cuts to stem ad revenue losses.

Stursberg’s departure is the latest sign of a new regime at the CBC after the earlier departure of Fred Fuchs as executive director of arts and entertainment, and Jenny Hacker replacing Anton Leo as creative head of comedy.

Lacroix indicated Friday that that management restructuring will likely continue.

‘We are in the midst of developing a new strategic plan that will guide CBC/Radio-Canada through the next five years. This is the opportune time to bring new leadership to English Services and to ensure alignment of the senior team on the future of the public broadcaster,’ he said.

From Playback Daily