AMC Networks International UK promotes Sam Rowden to lead new content group

AMC Networks International UK (AMCNI UK) has promoted Sam Rowden to the newly created position of VP of its new content group.

Sam Rowden

Rowden, who currently oversees the company’s programming strategy for the CBS channel portfolio, consisting of six entertainment channels owned by joint ventures between AMCNI UK and Paramount Global, will now handle AMCNI UK’s overall content strategy

She will continue to report to Kevin Dickie, exec VP and MD of AMCNI-UK.

As VP of the newly formed content group, Rowden will have full responsibility for both the linear and streaming content strategies across the UK and EMEA, which includes oversight of joint-venture channels CBS Justice, CBS Europa, CBS Reality, RealityXtra, Legend and HorrorXtra, as well as channel brands AMC and SundanceTV.

Her remit also includes AMCNI UK’s AVoD and FAST portfolio, consisting of AVoD service CBS Catchup Channels UK and FAST channel True Crime, which recently launched on Amazon’s Freevee and Rakuten TV and is also available via ITVX.

Additionally, Rowden is now responsible for content acquisition and content partnerships, including the relationship with Paramount Global, for both the UK and EMEA joint ventures. She also has oversight of content management, including compliance.

Dickie said: “Sam has been the driving force behind the continued success of AMCNI UK’s joint ventures with Paramount Global, both in the UK and in EMEA, including the development of our highly successful true crime originals effort, since the beginning.

“With her leadership skills and expertise developing brands that appeal to a wide range of audiences, she is perfectly placed to assume this key role as we further integrate our linear and streaming efforts.”

Rowden added: “As we continue to navigate a rapidly changing TV landscape, having a dedicated team of experienced and proactive individuals is crucial to facilitate change and utilise new opportunities. Our aim is to create a content offering, which is strong, relevant and well placed to co-exist in both the linear and streaming space.”

Rowden joined the company in 2007 and her credits include The Real Prime Suspect, Donal MacIntyre’s Killer Evidence, The Truth About My Murder, Wrongly Accused, Murder: Fight for the Truth and Murder by the Sea.

Prior to arriving at AMCNI UK, Rowden worked as a consultant for UKTV and was head of acquisitions and coproduction for Sky One.