FIRST DAY: New York Times Co. CEO Mark Thompson started his job Monday amid a widening scandal at his former employer, the BBC.

CEO BACKGROUND: Thompson, 55, left the British Broadcasting Corp. in September after serving eight years as its director-general. He has faced questions over a decision by the BBC's "Newsnight" program last December to shelve an investigation into child sexual-abuse allegations against renowned BBC children's television host Jimmy Savile.

SAYS UNAWARE: Thompson has said he only became aware of the investigative report after speaking with a BBC journalist at a cocktail party long after it had been canceled. When he inquired later about its cancellation, he said executives told him it had been terminated for journalistic reasons.