Knoxville, Tennessee – Derek Chang, who has made his mark in the satellite and cable television industry as one of the leading strategy and development executives, has been named Managing Director of Asia Pacific operations for Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. Chang, who commences his role in April and based in Singapore, will report to President of International for Scripps Networks Interactive, Jim Samples.
Chang will be responsible for designing and executing growth strategies in the Asia Pacific region for Food Network and Travel Channel, both of which are available to viewers in selected Asian markets. Chang’s focus will be on leveraging Scripps brands across all distribution platforms in the region as well as managing regional programming and marketing strategies.
“Scripps Networks Interactive has ambitious goals to significantly broaden its presence in Asia, including wider distribution of our lifestyle brands and programming capabilities,” Samples said. “Derek Chang’s expertise and reputation as one of the multi-video industry’s leading strategy and development executives, combined with the strength of the Scripps lifestyle brands, give our company tremendous credibility with distributors and potential business partners throughout the region.”
Chang comes to Scripps Networks Interactive from DIRECTV as an Executive Vice President of Content Strategy and Development, where he had responsibility of all content acquisition, original production and programming operations. In addition, he managed DIRECTV’s regional sports networks (Root Sports) and its advertising sales business. As part of his responsibilities at DIRECTV, he managed the acquisition of networks from Asia and Latin America for DIRECTV’s international programming packages. Chang also oversaw DIRECTV’s investments in networks including GSN, Chiller, Tennis Channel, MLB Network and NHL Network. Prior to his role at DIRECTV, he held executive positions in finance and development with Charter Communications, The Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES Network), GlobalCenter and TCI Communications / AT&T Broadband.
