SBS Announces Two New TV & Online Senior Appointments

SBS has announced two senior appointments within its Television and Online Content Division, with Chris Irvine returning to SBS as its Head of Commercial & Production, and David Gwynne joining as Channel Manager, SBS On Demand.

As head of commercial and production for TV and Online Content, Irvine will manage the commercial and production aspects of all of SBS’s TV and online content, whether commissioned, acquired or internally produced. He brings more than 15 years’ experience to the role, working across film, television and online production, finance and distribution.

He comes to SBS from independent production company Essential Media where he was responsible for their commercial, legal and business affairs, and prior to that worked as the head of business affairs at SBS, managing the network’s commissioning and distribution deals.

As channel manager for SBS On Demand, David will be charged with leading the strategy, editorial offering and product roadmap for SBS’s market leading service. Throughout his career he’s gained more than 15 years’ experience in multiplatform content distribution, digital strategy and business development, most recently at subscription service Quickflix where he has been responsible for driving customer growth through their device partner channels. He’s also held senior roles at ABC, Fox Sports and Foxtel, and more recently at Samsung where he was the Content Partner Manager for VOD, IPTV and OTT.

Marshall Heald, director television and online, said: “After what has been really strong year for SBS, it’s great to have both David and Chris join the team in these key roles, as we continue to push boundaries with our content and explore new and innovative ways to tell and deliver stories.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Chris back to SBS in this senior leadership role. His prior experience at SBS coupled with his recent work at Essential Media – one of our key program partners – uniquely places him to understand the opportunities and challenges facing SBS and the production sector in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

“We’re also delighted to welcome David who brings an impressive track record in content strategy, product development and business management, having worked with some of Australia’s most prominent media brands. SBS On Demand is going from strength to strength, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds with David at the helm,” he added.

Irvine said: “I don’t think you ever stop being part of something as unique and distinctive as SBS, so it feels like I’m coming home. SBS is pushing boundaries in the stories it is telling, and the way it is telling them, all underpinned by its unique and important purpose. I’ve had a great experience working with the team at Essential Media, but am now looking forward to returning to SBS in the new role of Head of Commercial and Production at this exciting time.”

Gwynne said: ““I’m looking forward to this new challenge at SBS. SBS On Demand is a world class service, with a creative and hardworking team behind it providing an incredibly unique and distinctive offering. It stands apart from the rest in a competitive streaming market and I look forward to the opportunity to work with the team to continue to grow and develop the service.”

Gwynne will commence his role on 11 January and Irvine will commence on 15 February.

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