The World Digest - August 23, 2005

New management

PARIS — France Televisions, the state-owned broadcaster that manages the France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5 and RFO channels, on Monday announced the first key managerial appointments under new chief executive Patrick de Carolis. Patrice Duhamel, until recently joint managing director of the Figaro group of publications, will oversee content across the group's channels and be responsible for the development and diversification of the group. Thierry Bert, currently inspector of finances at France Televisions, has been elevated to the post of managing director in charge of administration, finances, human resources, acquisitions and legal matters.



New path

HONG KONG — Katherine Lee, senior vp distribution at Hong Kong's Filmko Entertainment will leave her post in mid-September to become an independent producer, she said Monday. Lee said she will be looking to package co-production projects from the region as well as work with new directors. She will hand over her Filmko responsibilities to the company's vp distribution, Dominic Yip.



New goals

PARIS — French commercial television group Canal Plus said Monday it plans to increase the number of net new subscribers for its premium Canal Plus channels and the channels on its CanalSatellite digital satellite platform by at least 300,000 before the end of the year. The group's flagship pay TV channel posted its best monthly subscription increase in 18 years in July, chief executive Bertrand Meheut said in an interview in French newspaper Journal du Dimanche. He ascribed the strong showing to the group's acquisition of exclusive French Champion's League soccer broadcasting rights.