Frow to head Viacom UK programming

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has appointed Ben Frow as director of programmes for its UK operations.

Ben Frow

The promotion from his existing role as director of programmes at Viacom-owned terrestrial Channel 5 will make him responsible for all content for the company’s TV networks and associated streaming services in the UK.

He will take up his new role with immediate effect, reporting in due course to the incoming president of VIMN’s operations in the UK, Northern and Eastern Europe, Maria Kyriacou.

The promotion means Frow will add Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network to his existing remit at Channel 5.

With control of Viacom’s entire UK content budget, Frow will focus on developing formats that can be scaled across Viacom’s branded networks internationally.

Viacom said it believes the more efficient deployment of its resources this new structure makes possible will release extra funding for original commissions for each one of the brands in its portfolio.

David Lynn, recently appointed president and CEO of VIMN, said: “Ben is a creative tour-de-force who has transformed Channel 5’s reputation and helped it to outperform its competitors while becoming sustainably profitable for the first time.

“There really is no one better qualified to take the creative helm of our UK brand portfolio at what is a transformational time for our business. I’m very confident this cross-brand, cross-platform editorial structure, under Ben’s direction, will set us up optimally for further success in the UK’s intensely competitive and fast evolving media market.”

Ben Frow added: “I love a challenge and the chance to work across a bigger portfolio is irresistible. This new role gives me, and the teams, the opportunity to be even more creative, even more imaginative, even more ambitious across some of the biggest brands in television.”