The seasoned TV executive will take on her new position at the Finnish public broadcaster on September 1st, 2018, in replacement of Lauri Kivinen.

Merja Ylä-Anttila has 30 year-experience in the media. Since 2001, she has worked for Bonnier group’s commercial broadcaster MTV as editor-in-chief, and for the past three years, she has also acted as managing director of Bonnier Broadcast’s production company Mediahub Helsinki.

Thomas Wilhelmsson, chair of Yle’s Board of Directors said: “Merja Ylä-Anttila possesses experience, competence and leadership. She knows the industry and is familiar with how Yle operates. In addition, she has a clear idea of what changes are necessary following from the mounting pressure from society and technology. She is an inspirational leader.”

Ylä-Anttila said: "In addition to the field of journalism, I have a great deal of leadership experience in times of change and reform. That is something I can bring to Yle." She added: “Today, when Finnish media also has to face fierce international competition, cooperation between public service and commercial media is becoming increasingly important. What we need is well-functioning Finnish media operators who provide the best possible content for Finns.”

Lauri Kivinen who announced in January he would step down before the end of 2018 to start working in the private sector, had been CEO at Yle since 2010.