Foxtel revamps top team

Australian pay TV giant Foxtel is reshuffling its senior management to centralise the process of negotiating deals with film and TV suppliers.

Promoted: Ross Crowley

Foxtel Networks director of programming and channels Ross Crowley is being promoted to the new role of director of content strategy and programming.

Crowley will work with Tony Pollitt, the former commercial director who is now general manager of business affairs for content and networks, in managing major studio negotiations.

Both Crowley and Pollitt will team with Foxtel executive director of content partnerships Ben Buckley and newly appointed head of rights and negotiations Sam Hall. Fleur Fahey continues as general manager of acquisitions for Foxtel Networks.

The realignment reflects Foxtel’s plans to double its investment in Australian scripted, factual, lifestyle and entertainment programming by 2018.

Effective from July 1, the new structure will streamline the acquisition of all content for Foxtel’s linear channels, on-demand platform Anytime and streaming service Presto Movies.

As Foxtel ramps up local production, Duane Hatherly will continue to lead the team involved in developing new shows and formats as Foxtel Networks director of production.

Hatherly is relinquishing his other role as head of LifeStyle Channels to Hannah Barnes, general manager of LifeStyle Channels.