MGM restructures TV distribution team

MGM produces acclaimed drama The Handmaid’s Tale

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) has restructured its worldwide television distribution team, with new roles for a trio of LA- and London-based executives.

Paul Bischoff has been promoted to executive VP of international television distribution for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), where he will be responsible for all television and digital distribution.

Bischoff formerly served as senior VP of subscription television and sales strategy, leading MGM’s SVoD and pay TV deals in all international markets.

The exec, who joined MGM in 1999, will continue to be based in LA and report to Chris Ottinger, president of worldwide television distribution and acquisitions.

The restructure also means new roles for Charlie Farmer and Alex Peschak, both of whom are based in MGM’s London office.

Farmer has been upped to senior VP and MD of UK, China and European coproductions, reporting to Steve Stark, MGM’s president of television production and development. He was previously senior VP and MD of international television distribution in EMEA.

He will be responsible for television and digital distribution in the UK and China and is also tasked with seeking new scripted dramas and production partnerships. Farmer will also continue to be involved in business development across Europe.

Following Farmer’s promotion, Peschak, senior VP of international TV distribution and acquisitions in EMEA, has been made senior VP for international television distribution in EMEA.

Reporting to Bischoff, he will manage the London sales team and will oversee all television and digital distribution across EMEA, excluding the UK.

The restructure follows the film studio’s acquisitions of US pay TV network Epix and Real Housewives producer Evolution Media to strengthen its TV arm over the past 12 months.

Led by Mark Burnett, the group currently produces Survivor for CBS, The Voice for NBC, Shark Tank and Funderdome for ABC and Jamie Foxx’s Beat Shazam for Fox. In scripted television, MGM’s slate includes Fargo (FX), The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), Get Shorty (Epix) and Vikings (History).

In 2018 it will release Condor (AT&T Audience Network), inspired by the feature film Three Days of the Condor, and The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (Epix), starring Patrick Dempsey in his return to television.