John Smith today announced that he has decided to step down after eight years as Chief Executive Officer of BBC Worldwide. Following Smith’s decision, BBC Director-General George Entwistle announced that Tim Davie, the BBC’s Director of Audio & Music, will succeed Smith as CEO of BBC Worldwide from December 1. Under Smith’s leadership, the BBC’s commercial arm has grown into a major global media company, doubling its revenue, growing profits four-fold, almost tripling … [Read more...] about CEO of BBC Worldwide to Step Down
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SES expands payload capacity with new satellite launch
Luxembourg – SES has successfully launched its new ASTRA 2F satellite on Friday, September 28, on board an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. This is SES’ 36th successful launch on Ariane and its 52nd satellite in orbit. Built by Astrium and carrying Ku- and Ka-band payloads for the delivery of high-performance DTH and next generation broadband services, ASTRA 2F is the first of a three-satellite investment programme (ASTRA 2E, 2F and 2G) that provides replacement and growth … [Read more...] about SES expands payload capacity with new satellite launch
CNN claims it is top international brand among upscale viewers
CNN reaches more upscale consumers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, on TV and online than any other international media brand, according to results from the first Media Survey of Global Affluents (GEMS), launched today. At 40.8%, CNN’s monthly reach across TV and online combined is decisively ahead of all other global media brands including Discovery (38.2%), National Geographic TV (36.2%) and streaks ahead of rival networks BBC (32%), CNBC (14.2%) and Al Jazeera (10.9%). … [Read more...] about CNN claims it is top international brand among upscale viewers
Sony Pictures Television secures new formats
London – Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is expanding its non-scripted offering with acquisitions, commissions and a talent tie-in ahead of MIPCOM. Breakaway, one of SPT’s newest gameshows, has been picked up by Egypt’s Al Hayat, with SPT Arabia commissioned to produce a local version to be stripped through weekdays. BBC also ordered a second series of Breakaway following its successful debut season on BBC2 earlier this year. SPT has also acquired two new, non-scripted formats … [Read more...] about Sony Pictures Television secures new formats
BBC Entertainment launches on Hypp TV
Singapore – BBC Worldwide Channels has launched BBC Entertainment in Malaysia on Hypp TV, Telekom Malaysia’s IPTV platform. The channel joins BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies, which have been on the platform since the introduction of Hypp TV in 2009. “We are excited that four of our branded channels encapsulating the quality, breadth and depth of our programming are now available to TM Net’s Hypp TV subscribers,” said Mark Whitehead, GM and SVP of BBC … [Read more...] about BBC Entertainment launches on Hypp TV
COO Caroline Thomson to leave BBC
The BBC has confirmed that Chief Operating Officer Caroline Thomson will be leaving the broadcaster at the end of September. The move follows Director-General George Entwistle’s announcement that he is closing the post of Chief Operating Officer as part of the restructuring of his senior team. In her current role, Thomson has successfully delivered BBC’s major infrastructure projects: digital switch-over, the move of more than 3,000 staff to Salford, and the development of the … [Read more...] about COO Caroline Thomson to leave BBC
