In the field of broadcasting the BBC is an exotic flower: it attracts great attention but is fragile and requires careful handling. So the departure of Michael Grade, its chairman, to become executive chairman of ITV, the commercial broadcaster, is a serious setback.

There is never a great moment to lose an inspirational leader to a significant rival. But the circumstances ofMr Grade's defection are particularly damaging. He said yesterday that he had achieved what he intended when he assumed the chairmanship in 2004. Yet he goes with the level of licence fee increases for coming years still undecided and with a new system of governance still unproved. He has indeed restored some equilibrium to the Corporation, but the shaky foundations to this steady state were evident in its agitated response to news of his exit.