Howling will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of DTV Services, which aims to sell Freeview to as many homes before analogue switch off begins in 2008. Freeview is currently in 5.1m homes in the UK.
Howling will take up the role at DTV, the joint venture between the BBC, Crown Castle and BSkyB, in October.
While at the BBC, Howling led the corporation's digital promotion, helping to boost the BBC's six extra digital channels by more than two-thirds in three years.
She was also influential in the launch of Freeview in 2002 and has since represented the BBC on the Freeview board.
Howling joined the BBC in 1993 and has held a variety of roles including chief assistant to the director of radio, head of internal communications on BBC News and Radio Five Live producer.
Peter Abery, chairman of Freeview, said: "I'm sure Ilsa will make a significant contribution to the company in her new role -- she was one of the main architects of the Freeview's original consumer proposition and she has worked very closely with the team since launch."
Ilse added: "Its simple, free proposition has been a huge success with consumers and we're set to go on bringing the benefits of the digital world to those homes yet to experience digital TV."
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