New hire, series for XTreme

MIPCOM: News from multi-platform network XTreme Video’s stand here in Cannes includes an appointment in LA and a new series for 4K network Insight.

Action sports-focused XTreme, which claims to draw more than 200 million online views each month and more than 50 million social followers, has appointed Ben Lister as chief operating officer.

Lister will be based in what the company called “the burgeoning tech hub” of Playa Vista, California. The move adds to XTreme’s existing offices in Biarritz, Dubai, London, Paris, Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

He has previously worked at Brave Bison (formerly Rightster), Warner Music Group, MTV, Channel 4 and Base79. Regarding Lister’s hire, Gregg Bywalski, XTreme Video’s CEO, said: “We’re confident that he’ll lead our US expansion successfully.”

In other news, XTreme has been greenlit to produce a new series for factual channel Insight. Inside the Masters of Dirt (6×26’) follows the crew that produces the freestyle motocross arena show Masters of Dirt.

“XTreme Video produces the kind of high-octane, storytelling films that complements the channel’s identity and the opportunity to work together on future projects is an exciting proposition,” said Justin Steel, global channel manager at Insight parent Tern International.