Cartoon Network and Boomerang vice president of programming and scheduling Marc Buhaj jumped ship to join international children’s network Jetix Europe.
On April 2, he will assume the position of senior VP of programming.
“Jetix is now a globally recognized brand and has great potential within the international kids’ media marketplace,” Buhaj said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to continuing its success and extending its influence by continuing to produce and acquire shows that will fit with Jetix’s fun and cheeky style.”
At Cartoon and Boomerang, Buhaj directed all aspects of programming, including scheduling, on-air event planning, program operations and, most recently, acquisitions and co-productions. He was part of the team driving Cartoon’s multiplatform initiatives, including broadband networks CN Video and Toonami Jetstream. Buhaj was also the executive in charge of production for Cartoon Network Japan Productions.
Previously, Buhaj was executive director of programming and acquisitions for Turner Entertainment Networks Asia in Hong Kong, where he led scheduling, commissioning and acquisitions for all Cartoon, Boomerang and Pogo feeds in the Asia-Pacific region. He helped to develop and launch new Indian kids’ channel Pogo in January 2004.
Prior to joining Turner’s Sydney office in March 2001, he worked for Seven Network Australia.
Buhaj will report to Jetix Europe CEO Paul Taylor and will oversee all aspects of the service’s content. This encompasses production, development, acquisitions, scheduling, on-air promotions, multimedia programming and administration.
“I am delighted that we have secured Marc to lead our content vision,” Taylor said in a prepared statement. “Content is a core strategic asset to our business, and Marc’s invaluable worldwide kids’ TV experience and skill set are perfect to deliver brand defining content across all Jetix media platforms. Marc’s experience in the United States will help us to further develop our content-creation partnership with The Walt Disney Co., which has already produced successful shows such as Yin Yang Yo!.”
Jetix Europe is majority owned by Disney and offers 14 Jetix television channels for kids 6-14 in 58 countries and 18 languages. The network reaches more than 46 million households across Europe and the Middle East.
