Grant Blackley has been stood down as Chief Executive Officer of Network Ten, with Lachlan Murdoch appointed acting CEO in his place.
The Ten Network Holdings Limited Board gave Blackley notice of the immediate termination of his contract.
“I would like to thank Grant Blackley for his contribution to the Company over some 20 years,” said board chairman Brian Long in a statement.
Murdoch will hold the position of CEO while the search for an appropriate replacement is undertaken.
Last November, Blackley's contract with the network was extended until August 2013.