Mumbai: In line with their commitment to the continued international growth of the television and new media distribution of their content, Disney-ABC Worldwide Television and Disney Media Networks have announced the key appointment of Stephen Moore as executive vice president and managing director, Disney-ABC-ESPN Television, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada. Moore will be based in London, reporting to Ben Pyne, president, Global Distribution, Disney-ABC Worldwide Television and Disney Media Networks.
Pyne said, "I’m delighted to welcome Stephen to The Walt Disney Company, where his wealth of experience in distributing the highest standards of creative content across global markets makes him an ideal fit to drive our business to further success. Our Disney-ABC-ESPN Television team has excelled in building strong international distribution partnerships for brands such as Disney Channel, Jetix, ESPN, Walt Disney Pictures, ABC Studios – some of the most sought-after channel and content brands in the world, and we have ambitious plans to expand these brands’ global presence."
In this role, joining late February, Moore will lead the Disney-ABC-ESPN Television channel and content distribution business, across all platforms including terrestrial, pay, cable/satellite and all technologies such as DTT, VOD, broadband, and mobile. In leading this team, he will drive growth in the distribution and revenue of The Walt Disney Company’s channels, television and film content from producer groups such as The Walt Disney Studios, ABC Studios, and Disney Channel, overseeing client relationships, and leading key deal negotiations. He will also work with other Disney lines of business to develop overall Company media growth strategies, and to support the further success of key franchise properties.
Moore joins from UK-based creator and distributor of pre-school programming Abbey Home Media PLC, where he was a partner. Prior to this, he was chief operating officer and head of Features at Aardman Animations from 2005-2007, where he managed all commercial activities of this award-winning Animation Studio. He joined Aardman from Twentieth Century Fox International, where he held the title of president, overseeing all Fox International Theatrical and Home Entertainment business activities and operations in 106 countries, with 39 owned and operated subsidiaries. He first joined Fox in 1987, holding various executive distribution roles.
Moore added; "I am delighted to be joining such a dynamic, talented team and representing one of the most prestigious portfolios of brands in the industry. The pace of change in the television and new media landscape is creating continual opportunities for partnership, growth and innovation, and I am committed to maintaining and building Disney-ABC-ESPN Television’s position at the leading edge of the business."
Disney-ABC-ESPN Television is the integrated Europe, Middle East, Africa and Canada television and new media distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company. It manages the distribution of 24 Disney-branded channels, 15 Jetix Europe channels and 8 ESPN channels in EMEA, and the pay TV, free TV, pay-per-view and new media distribution of feature films and TV content, including films from Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures, network series from ABC Studios such as "Lost," "Desperate Housewives" and "Ugly Betty," Disney-produced animated and live action series, Disney Channel Original Movies, pre-school programming, ESPN and ABC News content. It currently licenses over 30,000 hours of programming to 1300 broadcasters across 240 territories outside of the US.
