MUMBAI: BBC chairman Michael Grade and director-general Mark Thompson have moved up, dislodging News Corp. chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch off the top position of MediaGuardian 100, the annual ranking of the most powerful executives in British media.

Last year, Thompson ranked sixth on the list, while Grade occupied the number two spot. Murdoch who topped the list last year has tumbled to the third place this year.

According to media reports, this is the second time Murdoch did not top the MediaGuardian's annual power list.

Meanwhile, former BBC director general Greg Dyke and former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan are among those who this year dropped out of the list altogether.

The ITV chief executive Charles Allen has shot up the list, from number 30 position last year to number four spot. Channel Four director Kevin Lygo who was last year 23 on the list year has craved a place amongst the top 10 executive, states the media report.

BSkyB chief James Murdoch moves up one spot from 12 to 11, followed by BBC One new controller Peter Fincham, who previously held the 77 spot.

Channel 4 chief executive Andy Ducan occupies 19 spot and BBC News director Helen Boaden holds 20.