Monty Sarhan, CEO of pan-European streamer SkyShowtime, and Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier, co-executive chairmen of Canadian-based global entertainment group Boat Rocker Media and co-chairmen of Boat Rocker Studios, have joined the line-up of industry leaders speaking at Content London 2023.
In a Content Strategies one-on-one interview, Sarhan will discuss his vision and content strategy for SkyShowtime, as well as how he’s scaling the pan-European business and adapting to a more challenging marketplace for streamers. SkyShowtime, a joint venture between Comcast and Paramount Global, launched in 2021 and is currently available across 22 European territories.
Speaking in a fireside chat session at Content London, Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier, co-founders of Boat Rocker Media and Boat Rocker Studios, will be quizzed in-depth on their global vision and strategy going forward at the Canadian entertainment company and its creative engine Boat Rocker Studios.
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Speaking at Content London:
Monty Sarhan
CEO
SkyShowtime
As CEO of SkyShowtime, Sarhan is responsible for spearheading the launch of the streaming service for Europe. Under Sarhan’s leadership, SkyShowtime launched across 20-plus European markets in five months, bringing together entertainment from the world’s leading studios and storytellers, to offer new and exclusive entertainment to millions of homes.
SkyShowtime is a joint venture between Comcast and Paramount Global, two of the world’s largest entertainment companies. A veteran of both organisations, Sarhan joined from Comcast Cable, where he served as senior VP of content acquisition. Prior to that, he led MGM’s premium television service Epix as executive VP and general manager, launching Epix’s direct-to-consumer streaming service across all platforms and securing full national distribution for its networks.
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| Ivan Schneeberg | David Fortier |
| Co-executive chairman, Boat Rocker Media |
Co-executive chairman, Boat Rocker Media |
| Co-chairman, Boat Rocker Studios |
Co-chairman, Boat Rocker Studios |
Schneeberg and Fortier are the co-executive chairmen of Boat Rocker Media and co-chairmen of Boat Rocker Studios. The pair co-founded Boat Rocker in 2003 and together have originated and executive produced dozens of television series, including the critically acclaimed international commercial success Orphan Black.
From there, Fortier and Schneeberg went on to oversee the growth and transformation of Boat Rocker into a global entertainment company, which tells stories and builds brands across all genres and mediums. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and with offices around the world, Boat Rocker’s creative and commercial capabilities include scripted, unscripted, and kids and family television production, distribution, brand and franchise management, a world-class animation studio and talent management through Untitled Entertainment.
With over 30 projects currently in various stages of production at Boat Rocker, Schneeberg and Fortier have executive produced multiple projects this year, including critically acclaimed comedy series Slip for Roku, hit preschool series Dino Ranch for Disney+, and highly anticipated upcoming series Orphan Black: Echoes for AMC.
As co-chairmen of Boat Rocker Studios, the pair have overseen a slate of high-profile projects over the past 12 months, including Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (Hulu), which recently received two Primetime Emmy nominations; Downey’s Dream Cars (Max), starring Robert Downey Jr; and season two of Simon Kinberg’s sci-fi series Invasion (Apple TV+).
Under Schneeberg and Fortier’s leadership, Boat Rocker has grown into Canada’s largest independent studio, based on production and development spend, recently topping Playback’s 2023 Indie List.
