BCE’s embrace of CTVglobemedia has begun with news that Kevin Crull will join the broadcaster as chief operating officer, effective January 1, 2011. Crull will also succeed Ivan Fecan as president of CTV when he retires from the national TV network in 2011.

Crull was most recently president of Bell Residential Services, and his transition follows a proposed $3.2 billion deal by the phone giant to acquire CTV to feed its triple-play TV, Internet and mobile content pipeline.

The appointment was made and announced by CTVglobemedia topper Ivan Fecan as BCE awaits regulatory and shareholder approvals before it receives the door keys at CTV.

Crull most recently oversaw the launches of Bell Fibe Internet and Bell Fibe TV, a next-generation TV service launched in Toronto and Montreal via broadband fibre networks.

Replacing Crull at BCE is Wade Oosterman, promoted from president of Bell Mobility. And John Watson is promoted to executive vice president of customer operations at BCE.

Crull as COO will report to Fecan, who has signaled he will retire after BCE completes its takeover of CTV.

“Kevin Crull has a great reputation as a seasoned executive leader and innovator in Canadian communications and is well regarded in the industry for his deep understanding of both digital and conventional media,” Fecan said in a statement.

“By building industry-leading distribution and delivering world-class content to Canadians when, where and how they want it, he has built Bell’s TV, broadband and online portal businesses into digital media leaders,” he added.