Ackerman Resigns from OpenTV

After nearly four years on the job, OpenTV Corp. CEO James Ackerman has submitted his resignation, the interactive-TV company announced Wednesday.

OpenTV said James Chiddix, who was named executive chairman of OpenTV in March, will assume the role as CEO. The Time Warner Cable veteran will split both the chairman and CEO duties at OpenTV.

Ackerman, who also sits on the OpenTV board, won’t stand for re-election.

“With Jim on board, this seemed like the appropriate time for me to make a change and seek new challenges,” Ackerman said in a prepared statement.

Before joining OpenTV in July 2000, Ackerman was CEO of British Interactive Broadcasting, and he worked previously as managing director of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc’s Sky Ventures unit. Earlier in his career, he worked at A&E Television Networks and The Family Channel.

OpenTV said Ackerman -- who appeared at the company’s booth at the National Show in New Orleans earlier this month with Chiddix -- will “assist Mr. Chiddix for a transitional period before departing later in the year.”