Former Netflix executive Kai Finke has been appointed Chief Content Officer of SkyShowtime.
Based in Amsterdam and reporting to SkyShowtime CEO Monty Sarhan, Finke will lead the programming team following SkyShowtime’s entry into original programming this year.
Finke will be responsible for programming strategy, overseeing the service’s pipeline of partner studio entertainment, merchandising and scheduling, and SkyShowtime’s original programming slate and acquisitions.
He replaces Jon Farrar who will leave SkyShowtime following a transition over the coming months.
Finke joins SkyShowtime from Netflix, where he was one of their EMEA-based employees and most recently worked as Director of Content across multiple European markets. He has worked in production, international distribution, and acquisitions for more than 20 years, including for Munich-based distributor Telepool and for Vodafone.
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This year, SkyShowtime will have launched 10 original series including Bosé, Codename: Annika, Fleeting Lies, Poker Face, The Invisible Ladies, The Winner, and Warszawianka.
Sarhan said: “Kai is a proven programming executive who brings together strong creative sensibilities with business acumen. As we continue to expand into original programming, his wide range of experience—along with his knowledge of our markets—make him the ideal choice to lead our programming team in this next chapter of our growth.”
Finke said: “SkyShowtime’s continued push into local programming, in addition to the global exclusive series and movies available from Paramount and NBCUniversal, make the service hugely compelling for both audiences and the creative industries across Europe. I am hugely excited about the opportunity to be a part of the SkyShowtime team that brings this amazing entertainment line-up to over 20 markets.”
A joint venture between Comcast and Paramount Global, SkyShowtime is available in: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
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