Michael Paull, the industry vet who most recently ran the Amazon Channels SVOD business, has been named CEO of BAMTech, the Disney-backed technology services and video streaming spin-off of MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM).
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Paull, who will start in March and report to the BAMTech board of directors, will set the vision for the venture and lead “its transformation into an independent company driving sustainable high growth,” the company noted.
BAMTech said it OTT platform currently serves 7.5 million global paid subs via a roster of partners that includes HBO Now, the NHL, MLB, the PGA Tour, WWE Network, Riot Games/League of Legends, and Ice Network. Discovery and BAMTech have also jointly formed BAMTech Europe.
The appointment of Paull comes amid a CEO search at BAMTech that got underway late last year after MLBAM confirmed that Bob Bowman would step back his day-to-day running of BAMTech as he returned full time to his position as president of business media at Major League Baseball, where he oversees MLBAM, MLB Network, and the league’s sponsorship and consumer product businesses.
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Paull, who will be relocating to New York, most recently was vice president, digital video at Amazon. Of recent note, he spearheaded Amazon Channels, an SVOD aggregation service for Amazon Prime that offers about 100 services from partners that include HBO, Showtime and Starz. Paull has also held exec slots at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment, Fox Entertainment Group and Time Warner. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School and also received his BS from the University of California, Riverside.
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“Michael is a talented and accomplished executive who shares our collective vision for BAMTech as it aggressively explores new means to acquire and distribute video content,” said Robert D. Manfred, Jr., commissioner of Baseball. “We are confident Michael will deliver on the incredible potential and promise this venture has for building powerful viewing experiences for its clients and their customers.”
The team at BAMTech has created a best in class Over-The-Top video streaming platform allowing them to develop innovative solutions for their customers,” Paull added. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with this highly accomplished team and want to thank Major League Baseball and The Walt Disney Company for this exciting opportunity.”
