DHX shuffles execs for TV division

Canadian producer and distributor DHX Media has formed a new channels arm and reshuffled its senior management team after completing the acquisition of four Bell Media children’s networks.

Kids-focused DHX acquired Canuck cable quartet Family Channel, Disney XD and both the French- and English-language versions of Disney Junior in a C$170m (US$160m) deal that was approved by regulators last week.

The networks will now become part of the newly launched DHX Television division, which will be headed up by Joe Tedesco, who becomes the firm’s senior VP and general manager. He was most recently working with the channels as senior VP and GM at Canadian media firm Astral, which was subsequently acquired by Bell.

Elsewhere DHX has made Michael Donovan, previously CEO, executive chairman with Dana Landry promoted to CEO and Michael Hirsh named vice-chairman. Steven DeNure will continue as president and chief operating officer, adding the new channels business to his responsibilities.

Landry said the firm would focus on both “organic and acquisitive growth” to expand, adding that it would continue to use its ability to leverage “our world-renowned library of children’s brands across the integrated platform we have assembled” across production, distribution, merchandising and broadcast division.

The deal, revealed in November, is the first time DHX has moved into the channels business, aside from its YouTube presence.

In April, DHX continued its buying spree with the acquisition of Epitome, the Canuck production company behind the Degrassi teen drama franchise, for C$33m (US$30m).