Singapore – HOOQ , the largest Video on Demand service in South-East Asia, has appointed Jennifer Batty, as its new Chief Content Officer (CCO). She arrives at HOOQ with almost two decades’ worth of experience at the forefront of programming and channel development in North America, Asia and Europe. Most recently Jennifer was Executive Vice President of Programming at RTL CBS Asia Entertainment.
“Jennifer needs no introduction in the Asian region. She has a stellar reputation in the industry and we are so proud to welcome her to the HOOQ family. Most importantly, she understands the region and she knows customers’ media appetite. You don’t just see it in her résumé – you see it every day in her work. Her knowledge of Asia combined with her passion for content are assets we welcome to HOOQ,” said HOOQ Chief Executive Officer Peter Bithos.
Her appointment could not be timelier. HOOQ is enjoying a burgeoning audience base, to meet a rise in demand for more quality content with greater variety. High on her to-do list is to build on last week’s agreement with Marvel for exclusive SVOD rights to three new series – namely Marvel’s Inhumans, Marvel’s Runaways and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger. This represents an extension of a deal signed with Disney early in the year. Additionally HOOQ is aiming to extend its list of Asian originals with Saranair Love You currently playing in Thai cinemas and available on HOOQ 3 months after the last cinematic screening as well as Asian originals co-produced by HOOQ from Indonesia including Critical Eleven, Sweet 20 and Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, which was also recently screened at the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes and this week at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Content consumption over the recent years has seen a significant shift whereby viewers have more control. The growing access to multiple screens and improved connectivity underscores the reality that linear viewing is on the decline. With HOOQ, viewers can choose to watch their favourite shows wherever, whenever they want. More than ever, we must provide compelling programmes and an easy-to-navigate platform to retain viewers.” Said Jennifer Batty, CCO of HOOQ. “I’m very excited to be joining the team at HOOQ at such a pivotal time in the media industry”.
Jennifer was a key member in RTL Group’s expansion into India and then their joint venture with CBS Studios International, launching RTL CBS Entertainment and RTL CBS Extreme. Through her work as Executive Vice President of Programming at RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network and Star World, she has connected major markets in Asia to a host of world-class programme offerings. Prior to her arrival in Asia, Jennifer built her career heading up Programming at Modern Times Group (Viasat Broadcasting) pay TV channels across Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, and held various roles at Alliance Atlantis Communications, from content sales to content development in both Europe and Canada.
