Garfield boards FMNA’s Buzzr TV

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) has hired a Sony Pictures Television (SPT) exec to lead its forthcoming digital multicast channel Buzzr TV.

Ron Garfield takes the role of executive VP and general manager at the network, which is set to launch this summer on all 17 Fox-owned and operated stations.

The network will tap into the company’s portfolio of more than 40,000 hours of gameshows, including Family Feud, Let’s Make a Deal, To Tell the Truth, Password, Match Game, Beat the Clock, What’s my Line, Blockbusters and Card Sharks.

Thom Beers, CEO of FMNA, unveiled the channel at Natpe in January. “Launching Buzzr TV and growing its footprint is one of the top priorities for the business this year,” said Beers. “It was essential for me to appoint an executive with a strong record of launching secondary channels and growing their penetration in the market.

“Ron’s extensive background in this area, as well as his innate passion for Buzzr, made him the right choice to join me in leading this endeavour.”

Most recently, Garfield was at SPT, where he was chief revenue officer for FEARnet and senior VP of distribution for Sony Movie Channel and Cine Sony.

Prior to that role, Garfield was the founding chief operating officer for Ovation TV, where he oversaw all revenue-generating functions and network operations. He also held executive positions at Hallmark Channel, as its senior VP of network distribution and service, as well as Fox Broadcasting, where he was senior VP of network distribution.