Discovery Sweden gets new boss

The CEO of Discovery Networks Sweden is leaving the company and is being replaced by the head of TVNorge and Discovery Networks Norway.

Jonas Sjögren

Jonas Sjögren has decided to step down, according to the company, which rebranded from SBS Discovery earlier this year, with Harald Strømme taking over with immediate effect.

Sjögren was president of ProSiebenSat.1-owned SBS Media Group Sweden when Discovery acquired the business for €1.325bn (US$1.7bn) in 2012, adding 12 Nordic channels to its portfolio, including TVNorge.

Strømme, who heads that business and since 2013 has led the Norwegian parent operation, will continue in his role in that country while expanding his remit with the addition of Discovery’s Swedish arm.

“Sweden is a large and exciting market where we see that the challenge for linear TV is greater than in Norway, but we have a very good base with a strong channel portfolio,” said Strømme.

“To lead two major organisations in two key markets is a daunting task, but I already know many of our Swedish colleagues well and look forward to working closely with them.

“And we have a strong management team here in Norway, which manages more than fine without my daily involvement.”

Discovery is the third largest television group in Sweden, and aside from its own-branded factual network counts channels including Kanal 5, Kanal 9 and Kanal 11 among its interest, as well as Eurosport.

Sjögren’s departure comes after Discovery Networks Northern Europe president and MD Dee Forbes left earlier this month to become the first female director general of Irish pubcaster RTÉ.