Virgin Media TV’s long-serving programming manager Mary Brennan exits

Veteran television executive Mary Brennan is leaving her role as programming manager at Irish commercial broadcaster Virgin Media Television (VMTV) after almost 30 years with the company.

Mary Brennan

Announcing her exit on social media, she said she is looking to explore new challenges and take her “experience into a new space.”

Brennan has been VMTV’s programming manager for around nine and a half years. The role has seen her work with the company’s head of scheduling, acquisitions manager and wider team to ensure the delivery of content.

The Liberty Global-owned broadcaster spans free streaming platform Virgin Media Play and four free-to-air linear channels, led by flagship VM One. A large amount of content comes from a volume output agreement with the UK’s ITV Studios, including fact ent and reality big hitters such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Love Island.

Brennan joined the Dublin-headquartered company as a promotions assistant in 1998 when it was known as TV3, before working in various roles. She was promotions and programming manager up to the summer of 2017, the year before TV3 re-branded as VMTV.

In July, the company announced former Animo TV executive Lorraine O’Donovan had been appointed as head of in-house programming.

Writing on LinkedIn, Brennan said: “Over nearly three decades, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the best, most passionate people in the broadcasting business. Together, we weathered every challenge, embraced every change, and consistently delivered great Irish television.

“I am leaving with immense pride in everything we built and achieved together. Now, as this chapter closes, I’m genuinely excited to see what comes next. I’m looking forward to exploring new opportunities, bringing 28 years of media experience into a new space and taking on my next challenge.”