Former Hallmark Channel distribution chief Janice Arouh was named president of domestic distribution and marketing at Entertainment Studios Networks, a Los Angeles based HD programmer founded by comedian and reality TV pioneer Byron Allen. The news comes a day after Hallmark disclosed her departure.
Arouh will be responsible for all facets of domestic distribution and marketing for Entertainment Studios' six 24-hour HD networks: Pets.TV, Comedy.TV, Recipe.TV, Cars.TV, ES.TV and MyDestination.TV. Her duties will include sales strategy, national accounts, contractual negotiations, affiliate relations, sales operations and various business development initiatives including spearheading the company's expansion into 3D networks.
The network has carriage on Verizon FiOS TV through its Ultimate HD package.
"Janice brings energy and passion for the business to Entertainment Studios Networks. Her leadership, management depth, and extensive trusting relationships with the distributor community will be major assets as we embark on expanding the presence of our HD networks and create additional opportunities for growth, including launching compelling 3D networks," Allen said in a statement. The comedian and co-host of pioneering network reality show Real People, Allen founded Entertainment Studios in 1993 and is its chairman and CEO.
Arouh joined Hallmark Channel in 2004 from Fox Cable Networks, where she was senior vice president of affiliate marketing. At Hallmark, Arouh most recently served as executive vice president, Network Distribution & Service and was responsible for all distribution strategy, affiliate relations and sales operations for Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movie Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel HD. During her tenure she helped grow Hallmark Channel distribution to over 88 million subscribers. Arouh was named a Multichannel NewsWonder Woman in 2008.
Hallmark did not say if it had named a replacement.
"Entertainment Studios is one of the best kept secrets in media entertainment, and it owns one of the world's largest content libraries," Arouh said in a statement. "I share Mr. Allen's vision to build the premier HD and 3D lifestyle, general entertainment, and sports portfolio offering. When you look across the new media landscape, there is no better emerging independent network group than Entertainment Studios Networks positioned to offer distributors exclusive and distinctive programming in native HD and 3D 24/7."
