Alison Stewart
Head of CBeebies production, animation and acquisitions, CBeebies

Alison has worked in TV Production for 25 years, first at the BBC and later as a freelance Producer, Director and Scriptwriter. She returned to the BBC in 2007 as Executive Producer in CBeebies Production, and moved to her current position in June 2010.
CBeebies is the BBC’s pre-school channel, making mixed genre content for children from 0 – 6 years. She leads a trimedia team which creates, develops and produces TV, interactive and radio content for the channel, both for the domestic audience and for the international market via co-productions. She also heads up the Channel's Acquisitions team, which offers pre-buy investment in animated titles.
Speaking at: Children’s channels analysis

Calle Jansson
Channel Director, SBS Discovery TV

Calle Jansson was appointed Channel Director of SBS Discovery TV in September 2012. Prior to joining SBS Discovery, he worked at MTG (Modern Times Group) for 12 years in key positions such as Program Director TV3, TV6 and TV8, COO MTG TV, CEO Strix Television, Business Area Manager MTG Studios and CEO ZTV. Before joining MTG, Calle was CEO and Publisher of the Swedish magazine Nöjesguiden and CEO of the Event Marketing Company Disco Sthlm for 6 years in total.
Speaking at: Northern European channels analysis

David Levine
VP programming, production and strategic development, Disney Channels Europe, Middle East and Africa

David Levine is Vice President, Programming, Production and Strategic Development, Disney Channels EMEA. In this role, he is responsible for all strategic and operational aspects of Programming across Disney Channels EMEA, including the development of the linear and multi-platform programming strategy. In addition, he is responsible for determining the direction of original production and overseeing the development and production slates of originally produced content, acquisitions and co-productions. As part of the Disney Channels EMEA leadership team, David also advises on the overall strategic direction for Disney Channels across the region.
David joined Disney ABC Cable Networks Group in March 2004 and most recently served as Vice President and General Manager, Disney XD Worldwide where he was responsible for overseeing the Disney XD including strategic oversight and scheduling, identifying acquisition and co-production opportunities. He was responsible for establishing new and innovative programming initiatives such as Pranksgiving, Disney Fandom, Disney Tryathlon and other long and short form content initiatives. His operational scope also included strategic direction for the Disney XD brand and 24-hour, ad supported channel in the U.S. and support of the Disney XD channels around the world.
David previously served as Vice President, Worldwide Programming Strategy, Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Disney Channels Worldwide. He led the task force to launch Disney XD channel in the U.S. and guided its roll out worldwide. David also led the global programming launches of Hannah Montana, Phineas and Ferb and the High School Musical franchise. He was responsible for overseeing global programming and acquisition strategies for the Disney ABC kids' brands worldwide, and created the business model and led negotiations for Disney Channel's global television movie co-productions, identifying 16 Wishes and Radio Rebel as co-production projects.
Before joining Disney, David was Vice President of Business Affairs and Development, Ragdoll USA, where he oversaw all legal matters and North American television sales. Previously, he was General Counsel to The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company, overseeing the legal group supporting the billion dollar Teletubbies franchise in North/South America. He got his start in the industry at Marvel Entertainment Group overseeing legal compliance of its licensees and assorted intellectual property matters.
David was also member of the New York State Bar, and is a law graduate from George Washington University. He received an undergraduate degree from CUNY-Queens College and resides in London, England.
Speaking at: Children’s channels analysis

George Dixon
Controller, RTE 1


Speaking at: Northern European channels analysis

Hannah Demidowicz
Commissioning Executive NGCI and Head of Programmes Europe, National Geographic Channels International

As Commissioning Executive, NGCI and Head of Programmes, Europe, Hannah Demidowicz contributes to the network’s editorial direction, from commissioning and production through to show delivery for the programming slate.
In her role, Demidowicz directs all phases of production and co-ordinates with regional and local production heads to ensure the performance and success of NGCI’s programming output worldwide. She additionally works in close coordination with National Geographic’s Standards and Practices department to maintain editorial standards consistent with NGCI and NGS mission, brand and strategy. Assisting with the generation of programme ideas, commissioning, and production, she liaises with production companies and independent producers to find series, specials and events for NGCI.
Previously, Demidowicz served as Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions for NGC UK. In this post, she commissioned hit programmes for NGCI UK such as UFO UK: New Evidence and Bloody Tales of the Tower. She has also been responsible for acquiring highly rated programmes including 9/11: Ten Years Later. She joined National Geographic Channel in 2006 as a Programme Scheduler moving on to head up the UK Scheduling team before moving into commissioning and acquisitions.
National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) inspires viewers through its smart, innovative programming that questions what we know, how we view the world and what drives us forward. A business enterprise owned by National Geographic Ventures and FOX Entertainment Group, NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education through its six channels: National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Channel HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Wild HD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo Mundo.
Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S., which is a joint venture of NGV and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages.
Speaking at: Factual channels analysis

Harold Gronenthal
EVP, programming and operations , AMC/Sundance Channel Global

As executive vice president, programming and operations for AMC/Sundance Channel Global, Harold Gronenthal oversees programming, scheduling, acquisitions, network operations, and distribution of AMC Networks’ popular and award-winning brands, Sundance Channel Global and WE tv’s international business. He was promoted to his current post in 2013, having previously served as senior vice president and general manager of AMC/Sundance Channel Global since March 2007.
Gronenthal is a 27-year company veteran with management experience in many of the key areas of the business. He was instrumental in the expansion of Sundance Channel in Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia; and WE tv in Asia. He has also negotiated global programming deals for AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv, including critically acclaimed AMC series such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and international hits like Mr. Selfridge, The Hour and The Slap.
Domestically, Gronenthal has overseen deals for AMC Networks with major distributors and independent producers. Additionally, Gronenthal works on key productions for the brands, most recently serving as a Primetime Emmy® Award nominated executive producer on IFC’s acclaimed docu-series Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut).
Previously, Gronenthal served for nearly four years as senior vice president of program acquisitions and administration for AMC Networks, overseeing content acquisitions for AMC, IFC and WE tv, and spearheaded AMC’s launch in Canada. From 2002-2004, he served as vice president of programming for IFC Companies, which consisted of IFC, the network, and IFC Films, AMC Networks’ independent film distribution, exhibition and production business. He also held various roles at Bravo Networks, which then consisted of Bravo (now owned by NBC) and IFC. In this role, Gronenthal helped launch IFC Canada in 2001 and directed the first roll-out of content for international sales in the company’s history. Prior to that, he served as vice president of programming and operations for Film & Arts, Bravo’s first international channel in Latin America.
Gronenthal began his career in the regional sports division of the company with escalating roles at PRISM, a Philadelphia-based regional pay sports and movie service then owned and operated by AMC Networks.
Gronenthal graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with honours from Haverford College. He is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
Speaking at: International channels analysis

Jakob Mejlhede
SVP, programming, entertainment and acquisitions, MTG

Jakob is the Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Programming for the international entertainment group Modern Times Group (MTG). His team is responsible for MTG’s centralised programming and content development, as well as every acquisition for all free-TV and pay-TV channels, including the online pay-TV service Viaplay, across 38 countries on four continents. They’re also responsible for negotiating 3rd party channel carriage agreements on MTG’s 9 satellite platforms.
In his 15 years in the TV business, Jakob has solid experience of launching, growing and re-positioning channels across Scandinavia, Eastern and Central Europe and Africa. He has worked on formats from all major studios, turning them into hit shows across MTG’s free-TV channels, and has also started MTG’s scouting and option buying of original formats.
Originally from Denmark, Jakob studied journalism, but after graduation started working for the Danish channel TV 2 before getting the job as Programme Director for MTG’s TV3 in Denmark. He was also Programme Director for SBS in Denmark, as well as being Vice President for MTV Nordic.
Speaking at: International channels analysis

John Ranelagh
Head of Acquisitions, TV2 Norway

John Ranelagh began his television career as a researcher in BBC TV’s Midweek current affairs programme. He went on to be Associate Producer of the BBC’s 13-part prize-winning Ireland: A Television History, and was Executive Producer and Writer of the BBC’s 6-part series, CIA, based on his book The Agency, winner of the U.S. National Intelligence Book Prize and a New York TimesNotable Book of the Year. He was a Commissioning Editor, Secretary of the Board, and Special Assistant to the Chief Executive in the team that started Channel 4 in the UK where he developed the Equinox series and production model. He was the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Programmes at the start of TV2 Denmark. He drafted the successful licence application for TV2 Norway where he has been since. In 1994 he was appointed to the U.K.’s Independent Television Commission, the regulator of all U.K. television licensees apart from the BBC, the first television professionalto be a Commissioner. He was Deputy Chairman and Chairman of Vizrt AS, and Executive Chairman of NordicWorld AS where he now serves on the Board. He has a Ph. D. in Modern History.
Speaking at: Northern European channels analysis

Kate Marsh
SVP, Western Europe, Sony Pictures Television Networks

Kate Marsh is senior vice president for Western Europe at Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, overseeing Sony’s network services in the UK, Italy, Malta, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain and Portugal. She is based at SPT’s EMEA headquarters in the UK and oversees teams in London, Milan, Munich and Madrid. Marsh joined the company in 2008 and was quickly promoted to senior vice president, broadcast and channel development, with responsibility for creative channel development across SPT’s networks in the region. During her tenure, Marsh has seen the expansion of the Western European business with new linear and digital services launching in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. SPT’s channel brands in Western Europe include Sony Entertainment Television, AXN, Animax, Sony Movie Channel, Movies4Men, More>Movies, AXN Sci-Fi, AXN White and AXN Black. Marsh joined SPT from WPP’s GroupM where she was director, entertainment, EMEA responsible for establishing advertiser funded content services for and on behalf of the group’s media agencies, in Spain, the Netherlands, CEEU as well as the UK. Prior to GroupM, Marsh worked for News Corp’s Sky Italia where she developed leading television channels Fox Life, Sky Vivo and Paramount Comedy, alongside interactive, 24-hour Big Brother and Celebrity Survivor for the emerging Italian Pay TV market. Marsh joined the Italian start-up from BSkyB where she was Deputy Director of Broadcasting & Production, heading up Sky One. Marsh’s early career was at the BBC where she became Head of Lifestyle & Features overseeing 4,000 hours of network television and radio each year including programmes such as Top Gear and Country File, having joined the Corporation as a radio journalist. SPT’s global channels portfolio includes 130 channel feeds, available in 159 countries and reaching more than 840 million households worldwide. The channels offer high quality film and television content from Sony Pictures and third party distributors, as well as original content commissioned globally and locally.
Speaking at: International channels analysis

Koulla Anastasi
Channel Editor, Crime & Investigation Network® & Lifetime®

Koulla Anastasi is Channel Editor of Crime & Investigation Network® and Lifetime ® for A+E Networks® UK.
With over 10 years’ acquisitions experience at AETN UK, Anastasi's primary responsibility is to commission and acquire programming for both channels across the UK & Ireland, Benelux, Nordics, Central & Eastern Europe, South Africa and the Middle East.
Reporting to Heather Jones, VP of Programming for A+E Networks UK, Anastasi has commissioned, developed and produced some of Crime & Investigation Network’s biggest successes including: Gangs of Britain, Britain’s Darkest Taboos and Crimes That Shook Britain. In 2013 she took responsibility for commissioning and acquiring content for Lifetime, including Witches of East End and UK factual entertainment titles The Proposers and Frisky Business.
A+E Networks™ UK acquires over 600 hours of international programming each year and produces an additional 100+ hours of original commissions and co-productions to complement its varied factual slate.
A+E Networks® UK, a joint venture between A+E Networks® and BSkyB, is a leading broadcaster representing a portfolio of high-quality, ground-breaking factual and entertainment channels including HISTORY®, HISTORY®HD, Lifetime®, Lifetime® HD, Crime & Investigation Network®, Crime & Investigation Network® HD and H2®. A+E Networks® UK launched in November 1995, and has channels available in 76 countries across the UK, Scandinavia, Benelux, Central & Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, and is available in more than 85 million homes and in 17 languages.
Speaking at: Factual channels analysis

Louise Holmes
VP, director of programming, Comedy Central UK

Louise Holmes is VP, Director of Programming, responsible for Comedy Central’s programming, scheduling and research in the UK. Holmes also oversees programming and scheduling across other territories managed by the UK office; including Russia, Israel, Hungary and New Zealand.
Holmes previously worked as Head of Marketing for BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four, overseeing all on and off-air marketing, media planning and research across the channels as well as the audience insight team which informed commissioning and scheduling decisions.
Prior to this, she was Channel Director at Discovery Networks Italy, responsible for leading the editorial direction of the six channels in the Italian portfolio and for overseeing scheduling, commissioning, acquisitions and languaging as well as media planning and on and off-air marketing.
Holmes reports directly to Jill Offman, Managing Director of Comedy Central UK and Senior Vice President of International Content for Comedy Central.
Speaking at: UK multi-channel analysis

Matt Rennie
Managing director, Box TV

Matt is Managing Director of the UK’s most watched music TV portfolio, Box TV. He started his career in the music industry in 1999 at Warner Music Group. Since then he has worked at Homechoice (now Talk Talk), Music Choice, Virgin Media, Channel 4 and SeeSaw. He joined Box TV from Global Radio where he oversaw the non-core revenue management and diversification of their product portfolio including Global’s classical and compilation record label, gaming and print publishing business. He also set up Global’s new TV business with the launch of Capital TV and Heart TV.
Speaking at: UK multi-channel analysis

Nick Thorogood
SVP Content and Marketing, UK & EMEA, Scripps Networks International

Nick Thorogood joined Scripps Networks Interactive’s (SNI) international division in January 2010. Initially appointed as Managing Director for Food Network in the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), he was primarily responsible for the development and expansion of Food Network’s television, digital and branded business activities throughout the UK and EMEA.
Following the successful expansion of SNI in the region and acquisition of Travel Channel International into the SNI channel portfolio, Nick was promoted to Senior Vice President of Content and Marketing across SNI UK and EMEA. He is responsible for overseeing content development and strategy as well as associated programming and marketing activities for all of the wholly owned and controlled international channels and brands in the UK and EMEA (Food Network, Fine Living and Travel Channel International).
Prior to joining SNI, Nick was at BBC Commercial Agency, where he was head of factual, entertainment and formats and led a team to generate value from BBC intellectual property. Previously, he was a consultant for Tiscali TV in strategic development of on-demand platforms; launch controller of Five Life and Five US helping to spearhead Five’s multi-channel strategy; acting director of programs for Astro Broadcasting, Malaysia; editor of ITV Daytime; and head of Lifestyle Channels for UKTV.
Nick has a bachelor’s degree in communication and media production from Bournemouth University, and has participated in the accelerated development program at London Business School.
He is also an honorary vice president of the Association for Coaching, a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and the Royal Television Society.
Speaking at: Factual channels analysis

Nina Hahn
SVP international production & development, Nickelodeon

As Senior Vice President, International Production & Development, Nina Hahn oversees international content development and co-production partnerships for Nickelodeon outside of the US.
Based in London, Hahn coordinates and drives the development process, spearheading new production models, managing productions from pilot through to series, and working in direct partnership with Nickelodeon’s content teams around the world. As part of this role, Hahn is responsible for internationally sourced productions, aligning Nickelodeon’s global production and development pipeline, representing Nickelodeon US’s production and development interests abroad and identifying resources and expertise to drive creative partnerships and cultivate talent. As the main international production and development conduit for Nickelodeon’s channels, Hahn also ensures the cultural relevancy of all Nickelodeon production and development for global broadcast.
Hahn also works in direct partnership with Nickelodeon in the UK to source content from UK independent producers for potential global production and development.
Hahn is an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in creating and producing content for kids. Since joining Nickelodeon in 2005, Hahn has been the driving force behind establishing the brand as a core international hub for creators and talent. Hahn oversees the production and development of Nickelodeon’s hit series, House of Anubis which is now entering its third season on Nick’s channels around the world.
Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Hahn worked as an independent producer and development consultant for some of the world’s leading kids content producers and broadcasters in New York, including HBO and Jim Henson Productions.
Speaking at: Children’s channels analysis

Patricia Hidalgo
SVP chief content and creative officer kids, Turner Broadcasting EMEA

Patricia Hidalgo is Senior Vice President, Chief Content & Creative Officer Kids for Turner Broadcasting System EMEA. In this role, she acts as Turner’s editorial head for its strong portfolio of kids content and channel brands across EMEA including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito.
Hidalgo oversees all centrally-funded programming (acquisitions, co-productions and originals); channels branding; franchise and research initiatives; and editorial compliance across multiple platforms and formats.
Hidalgo joined Turner Broadcasting in London following a 15-year career at The Walt Disney Company, most recently as Vice President, Content & Programming Strategy, EMEA. Here, she was responsible for directing content, programming, acquisitions and compliance strategies for Disney across EMEA.
During her time at Disney, notable successes include the launch of Disney’s first Telenovela for kids, major rebranding exercises for Playhouse Disney and Jetix channels and an aggressive channel launch strategy for Italy. She started her Disney TV career with an award-winning stint as On-Air Manager for Spain & Portugal, collecting multiple industry prizes for creative excellence.
Hidalgo previously worked at Canal Plus Spain. She has a BA Hons in Graphic Design from Middlesex University in the UK. A native Spanish speaker, she is also fluent in English and Italian.
Speaking at: Children’s channels analysis

Steve North
General manager, Dave and Gold, UKTV

In 2007 Steve led the highly successful re-brand of UKTV G2 into Dave, the home of witty banter, which transformed an underperforming entertainment channel into an overnight hit with its target audience of 16 to 34 year old men. Six years later and Dave is now the biggest non PSB channel in Britain, with viewing up one-fifth over the past year. Under Steve’s astute leadership the channel brought back Red Dwarf in 2009 which became UKTV’s highest rating show of all time. Further highly successful commissions and acquisitions include Crackanory, Dave Gorman’s Modern Life is Goodish, Ross Noble Freewheeling, Suits and Storage Hunters which, combined with headline grabbing innovative marketing and brand campaigns, all contributed to Dave winning Promax Channel of the year in 2013.
Steve has also overseen the multi-million pound investment in new content for Gold, the nation’s favourite comedy channel, including the channel’s first original sitcom You, Me and Them starring Anthony Head and Lindsay Duncan. Commissions such as The Comic Strip Presents: Five Go to Rehab, The Two Ronnies Spectacle and Bring Me Morecambe and Wise have also contributed to the success of the channel.
Steve started his career at UKTV in 2001 as a Scheduler. Prior to that he was a Media Planner for the BBC and worked in Presentation at Viacom.
Speaking at: UK multi-channel analysis

Vanessa Brookman
VP programming, MTV Networks

Vanessa Brookman is Vice President, Programming, MTV UK and is responsible for devising the entertainment and music programming strategy across MTV’s portfolio of UK channels.
Based in London and overseeing a team of 20, Vanessa takes the lead in scheduling, acquiring and, as part of a wider team, commissioning content to drive ratings and revenue across all of MTV UK’s channels encompassing MTV, MTV+1, MTV Base, MTV Classic, MTV Dance, MTV Hits, MTV Music, MTV Live HD, MTV Rocks, Viva and VH1.
Beyond her UK role Vanessa also has additional programming responsibilities for MTV channels in Hungary, Russia, Croatia and Australia and manages all MTV licensee relationships in Eastern Europe.
Vanessa first joined MTV UK’s parent company, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), in November 2010. As part of the MTV UK team, headed up by SVP, General Manager Kerry Taylor, Vanessa has helped to implement the successful evolution of the core MTV channel to offer a mix of music and general entertainment programming, while simultaneously expanding MTV’s bouquet of music channels.
As a result of changing its programming mix, the core MTV channel has grown its average audience amongst 16-34s in the UK by 86% between 2009 and 2013 and achieved its highest average audience in seven years in 2013.
MTV UK’s growth has been driven by an increasing number of original productions, including reality series, Geordie Shore and The Valleys. Geordie Shore, which returns for an eighth season this year, is the highest rating show in the channel’s UK history with the average audience (16-34) growing 83% between series one and seven. The show has also become a social media phenomenon amassing 16m fans/followers across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Beyond this, in 2013 MTV was the number one music network (for its pure music channels) for 16-34s for the sixth year in a row cementing its position as the most popular music TV network in the UK.
Prior to joining MTV UK, Vanessa was Head of Fiction and Children's, Commercial Agency, BBC Vision. During this time she played a key role in raising production finance for drama, comedy and children’s genres and was involved in the co-production of several successful BBC programmes. Vanessa has also worked at both Channel 4 and 5 where she oversaw 40% of the channel’s output and was responsible for the highly successful acquisitions NCIS and Neighbours, which still provide the backbone of the channel today.
Speaking at: International channels analysis