Commissioning execs from Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) have joined the Content London speaker line-up to take part in two dedicated sessions at next month’s event.
Content leaders from the EMEA team will reveal how WBD is pioneering original programming across Europe from unscripted to scripted, commissions to acquisitions, and linear to streaming. Laura Carafoli, senior VP, content networks and streaming local productions (Italy and Iberia); Vera Peltekian, commissioning editor and head of original productions (France); Pil Gundelach Brandstrup, VP, content and programming (Nordics); and Ragnhild Thorbech, senior VP, programming and acquisitions, HBO Max (EMEA), will take to the stage to focus on navigating new stories in Europe and discuss their approach to original content creation and programming strategy.
In a separate session, as part of the Formats & Factual strand at Content London, WBD UK & Ireland’s Clare Laycock, senior VP, head of content, networks and streaming, Charlotte Reid, VP, commissioning, and commissioning editors Steven Fullagar and Deirdre Dowling will unveil their commissioning wishlist for the market, spanning Discovery+ and linear channels including Really, Quest, Quest Red, Food Network and HGTV. They will discuss the kinds of stories they’re looking for, what resonates with their audiences and how to pitch an unscripted idea.
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Speaking at Content London:
Laura Carafoli
Senior VP, content networks and streaming local productions, Italy and Iberia
WBD
Carafoli is responsible for programming and production for the group’s portfolio of channels in Italy and for local streaming production. She joined Discovery in 2009 and worked actively and directly on the launch of Real Time on DTT as well as the launch of DMax and Nove. Carafoli began her television career at Odeon TV/Videonovara as editor before moving to Rai 2 as programming director.
Vera Peltekian
Commissioning editor and head of original production for Max in France
WBD
Peltekian has been in her current role since October 2021. She previously managed French drama series and coproduced original programming at the Canal+ group, working closely with some of France’s top creative talent. Peltekian’s credits include The Returned (Best Drama Series, International Emmys 2013), Spiral (Best Drama Series, International Emmys 2015), and Kaboul Kitchen (Golden FIPA Award 2012). Prior to joining Canal+, she worked at Tele Images, heading the French drama development.
Pil Gundelach Brandstrup
Head of content and programming, Nordics
WBD
Brandstrup is responsible for content strategy and local content across linear and streaming in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. With more than 20 years of experience in TV production and broadcasting, Brandstrup has for the last 14 years led content and programming for some of the Nordics’ biggest networks, with roles including channel controller of Denmark’s DR1 and programme director at TV2 Norway. Brandstrup holds a master’s degree in film and media studies and is based in Copenhagen.
Ragnhild Thorbech
Senior VP, programming and acquisitions
HBO Max EMEA
Thorbech is part of the global streaming content leadership team and is responsible for scripted acquisitions for Max and HBO Max in Europe. Since working on the launch of HBO Nordic in 2012, she has played a key role in driving content offerings across the European market, ensuring the best content for subscribers while also broadening the scope of titles for a larger audience. Her list of merits also includes launching HBO España in 2016, HBO Portugal in 2019 and HBO Max in Europe in 2021/22.
Clare Laycock
Senior VP, head of content, networks and streaming
WBD UK & Ireland
Laycock leads content across linear channels and SVoD, covering commissioning, programming and media planning at WBD in the UK and Ireland. Recent titles commissioned by Laycock include more seasons of 90 Day Fiancé UK and Richard Hammond’s Workshop, the return of Say Yes to the Dress with new host Tan France, the highly successful ‘vs’ franchise, including Kim vs Kanye: The Divorce, and new series Vinnie Jones in the Country. Previously, Laycock held a dual role at Discovery UK & Ireland, overseeing the programme planning and consumer insights team across Discovery’s portfolio of linear channels and non-linear products while also leading on entertainment and lifestyle content commissioning for the portfolio.
Charlotte Reid
VP, commissioning
WBD UK & Ireland
Reid oversees the commissioning strategy for WBD’s unscripted series in the UK and Ireland. She is responsible for commissioning across a broad range of genres including talent-led, reality, crime, tough jobs, motoring, property, food and paranormal programming for Discovery+ and linear channels. Reid works across titles including 90 Day Fiancé UK, Johnny vs Amber and other ‘vs’ series, Richard Hammond’s Workshop, The Yorkshire Auction House and My Dream Derelict Home in the Sun.
Steven Fullagar
Commissioning editor
WBD UK & Ireland
Since joining WBD almost three years ago, Fullagar has worked across a range of genres including reality with Written in the Stars, medical with Helicopter ER, paranormal with Spooked Scotland and crime with Faking It and The Baby Killer Conspiracy. Fullagar is currently working on Wheeler Dealers, this year celebrating its 20th anniversary, new true crime series Victorian Murder Files and home-renovation series Derelict Rescue, now filming its second series.
Deirdre Dowling
Commissioning editor
WBD UK & Ireland
In her five years at the company, Dowling has developed and looked after hundreds of hours of content for both Discovery+ and linear networks. Spanning multiple genres, including crime, reality, home and paranormal, Dowling has worked with producers to deliver some of the broadcaster’s best-loved shows, including Help! My House is Haunted, Say Yes to the Dress and Jack Osbourne’s Haunted Homecoming. Dowling’s current focus includes finding and developing a companion piece for 90 Day Fiancé UK, a spooky special for Ghostober and new talent-led series.
