BBC One chief quits amid new requirements

LONDON, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Populist chief Lorraine Heggessey quit BBC One after an order from British legislators that more prime-time programs focus on current affairs.

Heggessey, credited with overtaking rival ITV during her controversial four years as BBC One controller, jumped to the post of chief executive of TalkbackThames, the producer of "Pop Idol" and "The Bill," the Times of London reported.

Successor BBC One candidates include Kevin Lygo, Channel 4's equally populist program director, and Jane Tranter, the BBC's head of Drama Commissioning who's responsible for the hit political thriller "State of Play" and the new "Doctor Who."

Heggessey's successor will have strict requirements to increase prime-time current affairs programming, the newspaper said.

Heggessey, touted as a future BBC director general, said she wants to broaden her commercial experience, but would consider returning to the BBC.