Former Channel Four head Michael Grade is to become chairman of the BBC.
He replaces Gavyn Davies, who resigned after a judicial inquiry into the suicide of government weapons expert Dr David Kelly criticised the BBC's editorial procedures and management.
A formal announcement is likely to be made later today, a BBC online news report said. The BBC media correspondent said Mr Grade's appointment would not be seen as the choice of a "safe pair of hands".
During his eight years at the rival commercial Channel Four, critics dubbed the him the "pornographer in chief" for some of his racier programme choices.
Mr Grade (61) has heavyweight media experience, however. As well as being a former BBC director of programmes, he is also executive chairman of the merged Pinewood and Shepperton film studios and chairman of national lottery operator Camelot.
A government review of the BBC charter is under way amid calls for increased regulation and a reduction in the TV licence fees that fund the BBC's annual budget of more than £2 billion sterling.