Viacom names Nordics chief

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has promoted a senior distribution exec to head its operations in the Nordics.

Jesper Dahl

Jesper Dahl, formerly VP of content distribution and sales, has been made general manager, VP for VIMN in the region, where he will steer the company’s growth strategy in one of the leading global OTT markets.

Dahl will take up his position in October. He will replace Andrea Sahlgren, who is moving to Nordic Entertainment Group, which is being launched by Scandi operator Modern Times Group.

Dahl joined VIMN, the international division of US firm Viacom, in 2005 and worked in various sales and distribution positions before rising to his current role. As VP of content distribution and sales, he has overseen strategic growth and distribution opportunities in the Nordics, including the launch of streaming service Paramount+.

In his new job, he will report to James Currell, president of VIMN in the UK and Northern and Eastern Europe.

“With OTT penetration at an all-time high in the Nordics, we’re at a very exciting phase in the evolution of content consumption,” Dahl said. “The delivery of strong content and innovative solutions that meet the needs of both our partners and consumers is more important now than ever, and I’m looking forward to driving forward our ambitions in the SVoD space and further strengthening Viacom’s go-to-market offering.”

Currell said Dahl possessed the “breadth of talent” to succeed in the new position, having already played an “instrumental role” in growing VIMN’s distribution footprint in the region.

In related news, VIMN network Comedy Central UK has greenlit a TV pilot adaptation of live musical show AMusical from London-based Burning Bright Productions.

The 22-minute pilot, which will be filmed in September, will feature comedians such as Frank Skinner and London Hughes working up the courage to belt out their favourite number from a musical in front of a live audience. It will air on Comedy Central UK later this year.

The pilot was commissioned by Louise Holmes, VP, general manager of Comedy Central UK, and developed by Lucy Robinson, Comedy Central UK’s VP of original content, comedy development. It will be exec produced by Burning Bright’s Clive Tulloh and Séamus Murphy-Mitchell, plus Kate Edmunds.