Jon Farrar Joins BBC Worldwide Channels as VP Programming - EMEA

Last Updated on Sunday, 18 July 2010 21:31 Sunday, 18 July 2010 21:31

BBC Worldwide Channels has appointed Jon Farrar to the role of VP Programming, EMEA. Responsible for the development and execution of the programming strategy for the BBC portfolio – BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies and BBC HD – across Europe Middle East and Africa.

Farrar takes up his new post on August 2 and will initially report to Dean Possenniskie, SVP and GM BBC Worldwide Channels EMEA until Possenniskie's replacement is appointed. He will also join BBC Worldwide's team of regional programming heads working into the division's SVP Programming and TV Channels, David Weiland.

Farrar joins BBC Worldwide from NBC Universal where he worked as Programming Director for Universal Networks International in the UK and Northern Europe. In his new role, he will oversee the editorial direction of BBC Worldwide's network of localised channels in EMEA, maintaining and building on the performance of existing channels, while actively working with the Commercial Development team to provide the programming vision for new channel launches.

David Weiland said of the appointment, "Jon comes to us with a unique skillset and a thoroughly impressive track record that will help challenge and support us during the next stages of our growth. He joins the business at a particularly important time, as we look to grow the reach of our existing channels and pursue new launch opportunities."

Farrar added, "I am thrilled to be joining BBC Worldwide. To develop BBC branded channels across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa is an exciting privilege, particularly to be working with some of the most outstanding content anywhere in the world. I cannot wait to start building strategies that connect local audiences across many corners of the globe with the best of British content, building the same depth of relationship with these big brands as exists in the UK."

Since July 2009, Farrar has had overall responsibility for all programming and marketing of The Hallmark Channel and Diva TV in the UK, after having managed the successful integration of Sparrowhawk Media with NBC Universal in 2007. He has also acted as the UK interface for NBC Universal’s global content strategy and was instrumental in building the programming template for all new channel launches in EMEA, Latin America, Asia, and the UK. Prior to this, Farrar drove the content strategy for 11 NBC-branded channels operating in the UK and Northern Europe and spearheaded the launch of more in Benelux and Central and Eastern Europe.

He also led the erstwhile SciFi channel (now Syfy) through the most successful period in its history, by implementing an aggressive first-run content strategy and overhauling its brand positioning. Previous roles in international television have also included Head of Scheduling for VH1 at MTV Networks, Portfolio Schedule Manager at the BBC – working across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four – and Deputy Channel Editor for PLAYuk at UKTV.

BBC Worldwide Channels currently operates a portfolio of 14 localised channels in EMEA, with schedules tailored to audiences in each market.