LONDON, June 28 (Reuters) - ITV has placed Elizabeth Murdoch, the daughter of Rupert Murdoch and founder of Shine Entertainment, on the short-list to become the company's new chief executive, reported the Sunday Telegraph.
The newspaper cited sources as saying Murdoch's understanding of international media and entrepreneurial skills make her an obvious candidate despite her family's connection to BSkyB, which was founded by her father.
BSkyB, whose chairman is Elizabeth Murdoch's brother James, has been fighting to hold on to a 17.9 percent stake in ITV, after ITV and competition regulators tried to make it sell the holding.
BSkyB has taken the case to the Court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Times said ITV is keen to make a successor to Michael Grade by the time of its first-half results on Aug. 6 and had asked headhunter Russell Reynolds to step up the pace of the search to avoid a period of uncertainty.
ITV could not be reached for comment. (Reporting by Matt Scuffham; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)