Sky’s Sullivan set for departure

European satcaster Sky is reshuffling its operations in Germany ahead of the exit of Sky Deutschland CEO Brian Sullivan.

Carsten Schmidt

Sullivan is stepping down from his role at the German broadcaster on 24 June to return to the US.

Carsten Schmidt – currently Sky Deutschland’s chief officer of sports, advertising sales and internet – will become deputy chief executive with immediate effect and succeed Sullivan as CEO after a handover period.

Sullivan took over at the German firm in 2010, increasing subscriber numbers over the four million mark and expanding its high-profile drama output with Babylon Berlin, a coproduction with ARD.

Schmidt has served on Sky Deutschland’s management board since 2006, after initially joining the company in 1999. His responsibilities currently include sports programming and rights acquisition, online activities and advertising sales.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s CEO, said Sullivan had “opened up the significant future opportunity for Sky in Germany and Austria.”

He added: “Carsten has played a central role in the transformation of Sky in Germany, building a strong business in premium sport with a deserved reputation for outstanding quality and innovation.”

Sullivan’s exit follows the takeover by BSkyB of Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia late last year. Gary Davey, Sky Deutschland’s programming chief, was brought in as MD across the group, replacing Sophie Turner Laing who joined Endemol Shine. Darroch, previously BSkyB chief, was promoted to group CEO.