Scripps Networks' international division chief Jim Samples will take over as president of Polish network group TVN, after the departure of current CEO Markus Tellenbach and while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
In a statement, Scripps Networks said Samples, already head of TVN’s supervisory board, will become president of TVN’s management board, based in its Warsaw offices and will lead the company until a new senior executive is named “in due course.”
Tellenbach is stepping down almost a year after Scripps Networks purchased TVN in September.
Recently, SNL Kagan singled out Poland as a growing market in Europe for digital entertainment.
“TVN has been an incredibly valuable acquisition for Scripps Networks, and continues to break new ground in developing and monetizing compelling content for Polish audiences,” Scripps Networks chairman and CEO Ken Lowe said in a statement. “Markus Tellenbach is an accomplished media executive who has positioned TVN for sustained growth in both the linear and digital businesses. We thank him for his leadership and collaboration since the acquisition by Scripps Networks, and for his service to TVN over the last seven years.
“Jim Samples has been instrumental in the success of our international business over the last year, and his deeper involvement in Poland will enable continued integration between TVN and our wider global operations,” Lowe continued. “The outstanding management team at TVN has been integral to the company’s recent success, and will ensure that the business continues to go from strength to strength in the future.”
TVN broadcasts three free-to-air channels: TVN, TVN 7 and TTV; and 10 thematic pay channels: TVN 24, TVN Style, TVN Turbo, TVN24 Bis; TVN Meteo Active, iTVN, iTVN Extra, TVN Fabula, Mango 24 and local NTL Radomsko distributed via cable and satellite operators. TVN also has an advertising sales division, TVN Media, which sells advertising across TVN’s portfolio and to third party networks.
“TVN is a vibrant and growing company that plays a key role in Scripps Networks’ international growth strategy,” Samples said in a statement. “This is a very exciting period for the company, and I’m looking forward to working even more closely with the management team and TVN’s employees over the coming months to continue to grow the business for the long term.”
