Chakkara's predecessor Emma Somerville was appointed as the head of interactive TV programming earlier this year.

Chakkara will take office on 1 June 2004. He will be reporting to Ashley Highfield who is the director of new media and technology. Chakkara will be responsible for strategic direction, planning and budgeting, commissioning of content and the overall branding of BBCi's interactive TV services.

Highfield was quoted in a company release saying, "Rahul has an impressive track record of launching iTV services and developing brand awareness. His skill-set will be an invaluable addition to the team and the development of BBCi's 24/7 services in the future."

Chakkara was the director of marketing and interactive television at NDS. He was responsible for the global marketing of digital television and future technologies as well as developing the iTV business.

Chakkara began his career in software engineering with ICL-Fujitsu in 1987 before joining P&G Europe as a brand manager in 1992.