SkyShowtime Names Former Netflix Government Kai Finke Chief Content material Officer (Unique)

SkyShowtime, the European streaming three way partnership of Sky proprietor Comcast and Showtime proprietor Paramount World, has appointed former Netflix government Kai Finke as chief content material officer, CEO Monty Sarhan unveiled on Monday.

Based mostly in Amsterdam and reporting to Sarhan, Finke will lead the programming staff, overseeing “the huge and rising scope of the division, following SkyShowtime’s entry into authentic programming this yr,” the corporate mentioned. He might be accountable for the streamer’s pipeline of associate studio leisure, merchandising and scheduling, in addition to its authentic programming slate and acquisitions.

Jon Farrar, a former BBC Studios government who has served as head of programming at SkyShowtime, has determined to depart his position following a transition over the approaching months, the corporate mentioned.

At Netflix, Finke most not too long ago served as a director of content material throughout a number of European markets. He has labored in manufacturing, worldwide distribution, and acquisitions for greater than 20 years, together with for Munich-based distributor Telepool and for telecom large Vodafone.

“He has robust relationships with main creatives, producers, distributors, and networks all through Europe and a confirmed observe report of bringing local-language leisure to SkyShowtime markets in addition to world audiences,” the corporate mentioned.

SkyShowtime is out there throughout 22 European markets, together with the likes of Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, the Nordics, and Central and Jap Europe.  

SkyShowtime will finish 2023 having launched 10 authentic sequence, together with Bosé, Codename: Annika, Fleeting Lies, Poker Face, The Invisible Women, The Winner, and Warszawianka. “A key a part of Finke’s focus might be to construct on that success by bringing in new tasks and acquisitions that resonate with native audiences throughout SkyShowtime’s markets,” the corporate mentioned. “His mandate can even embrace working intently with SkyShowtime’s shareholders in addition to leaders throughout the corporate to optimize subscriber acquisition, engagement, and retention.”

Sarhan mentioned: “Kai is a confirmed programming government who brings collectively robust artistic sensibilities with enterprise acumen. As we proceed to develop into authentic programming, his big selection of expertise — alongside together with his data of our markets — make him the perfect alternative to steer our programming staff on this subsequent chapter of our progress.”

Finke mentioned he was “massively excited” about becoming a member of the streaming three way partnership, including: “SkyShowtime’s continued push into native programming, along with the worldwide unique sequence and films obtainable from Paramount and NBCUniversal, make the service massively compelling for each audiences and the artistic industries throughout Europe.”