Discovery poaches BBC veteran

Discovery Networks Western Europe has hired Dominic Coles, director of operations at UK pubcaster the BBC, as its chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

Coles will be responsible for the operational and financial leadership of a business that consists of 24 brands broadcast in nine languages across most of Western Europe.

He replaces Yitz Shmulewitz, who becomes exec VP and chief operating officer at Eurosport, following Discovery’s acquisition of a 51% stake in the European sports broadcaster.

Coles, who spent 17 years at the BBC, will report to Dee Forbes, president and MD of Western Europe, and Doug Baker, COO and CFO at Discovery Networks International.

Over the past two years, Coles has led the BBC’s business operations, covering technology, distribution, strategic procurement and chairmanship of BBC Studios and Post Production.

“The sports experience he obtained managing the BBC’s London 2012 Olympics activities will also be invaluable to us as we align Eurosport’s assets with our own,” Forbes said. “The Western Europe business is on a big growth trajectory and we have major ambitions over the coming months and years.”