George Entwistle, controller of knowledge commissioning, will lead the knowledge and learning portfolio.
At the time Entwistle was BBC controller of knowledge commissioning, overseeing all TV factual output.
2008 Controller of Knowledge Commissioning producing more than 1,600 hours of television output a year.
He was briefly acting controller of BBC4 in 2007 before becoming controller of knowledge commissioning in 2008.
Entwistle was previously the BBC's controller of knowledge commissioning, controller of editorial standards and acting controller of BBC4.
Other leading internal candidates include the head of in-house knowledge commissioning, Emma Swain, and Richard Klein, who heads the independent commissioning team for knowledge.
Nick Vaughan-Barrathenthen a senior BBC executive, emailed Entwistle on 29 May 2010, when Entwistle was still the BBC's controller of knowledge commissioning and Savile was "very ill".
He was briefly acting controller of BBC4 in 2007 before becoming controller of knowledge commissioning – responsible for arts, history, science, business, religion, documentaries and current affairs – in 2008.
Entwistle, the former Newsnight editor who is now the BBC's controller of knowledge commissioning and controller of editorial standards for BBC Vision, will take up the role on 31 January.
The BBC's controller of knowledge commissioning, George Entwistle, is also seen as a candidate, although he would be more likely to get the BBC4 job if Hadlow were given BBC2, after he successfully stood in for her during her sabbatical.
Leading internal candidates are thought to be acting BBC Vision director and controller of knowledge commissioning George Entwistle, who confirmed recently to the Guardian that he will be applying, and BBC News director Helen Boaden.
