News Corp chief executive Peter Tonagh will be new boss of Foxtel

NEWS Corp Australia chief executive Peter Tonagh has been announced as the new boss of Foxtel.

News Corp Australia CEO Peter Tonagh at today's press conference when the NRL $2 billion TV rights deal was signed today. Picture: Adam Taylor

NEWS Corp Australia chief executive Peter Tonagh has been announced as the new boss of Foxtel.

Mr Tonagh will replace Richard Freudenstein as the pay-TV operator’s chief executive.

In an email to staff, News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller said Mr Freudenstein would be stepping down from his role at Foxtel to pursue other interests.

However, Mr Freudenstein will remain one of the directors of REA Group, operator of realestate.com.au, partly owned by News Corp.

Foxtel is also jointly owned by News Corp (publisher of news.com.au) and Telstra.

Mr Miller thanked Mr Freudenstein for his contribution.

“Richard has led Foxtel through arguably the most challenging years in its history and I want to put on the record my thanks to him,” he said.

Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein will be stepping down. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

He also thanked Mr Tonagh for his work over the past three years.

“PT also answered the call to lead REA through a difficult time and significantly restored the level of collaboration between REA and the News family, which we are now reaping genuine benefits from,” he said.

“Most importantly though, PT has played a critical role in redefining the vision, strategy and culture of News Corp Australia and setting a clear course for our ambition.”

Mr Miller said Mr Tonagh had strengthened operations by buying businesses like hipages, launching new commercial initiatives such as News Connect and News Xtend, and developing digital capabilities across the business.

“Another of PT’s invaluable contributions has been putting in place our executive team,” Mr Miller said. “With the talent we have running the business, we can take time to consider how we replace PT and the structure and exact organisation that best suits the company.

“Personally, it’s been a privilege to work closely with PT — a sentiment that I know is shared by everyone who works with him.”