David Leckie, widely considered to be the most powerful television executive in Australia, was replaced as chief executive of the Nine Network late yesterday (Jan 8).

For many years the Nine Network has been the highest rating network but events in the past 12 months have lead to its supremacy being questioned, a highly uncomfortable situation within a corporate culture widely known for its aggression and arrogance.

Leckie has been a company man for over 20 years and the move, which came as a surprise, is apparently part of a major shake-up by media mogul Kerry Packer of the parent public company Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (PBL). PBL also has significant gaming, consumer magazine and e-commerce interests.

Leckie has been replaced by Ian Johnson, who returned to television about a month ago after a stint managing Melbourne's Crown Casino, also owned by PBL.

In one of his most recent speaking engagements, at the producers' conference in November, Nine's tough-talking chief executive emphasised the extreme pressures of Australia's television business including an unreasonable regulatory regime, diminishing advertising revenues, and high costs. "We have to rate and win, fullstop," he said, explaining the paramount importance of the daily ratings results. "We have got to win. We are going to win."

He also talked of how the movies could become an important part of the business, a reference to sister company Hoyts Cinemas, now owned by Kerry Packer's private family company Consolidated Press Holdings.

Nine recently shifted into features with a significant investment in and acquisition of all Australian rights to Dirty Deeds, starring John Goodman, Toni Collette and Bryan Browne and currently in post-production.