SkyShowtime, the European streaming joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Global, has named former Netflix executive Kai Finke as its chief content officer. CEO Monty Sarhan announced the appointment on Monday. Finke, who will be based in Amsterdam and report to Sarhan, will lead the programming team and oversee the streamer’s original programming slate and acquisitions. He will also be responsible for partner studio entertainment, merchandising, and scheduling. Jon Farrar, who previously served as head of programming at SkyShowtime, will be leaving his role in the coming months.
Finke brings more than 20 years of experience in production, international distribution, and acquisitions to his new position. He has previously worked for top companies such as Telepool and Vodafone. According to the company, Finke has strong relationships with leading creatives, producers, distributors, and networks throughout Europe, and a proven track record of bringing local-language entertainment to SkyShowtime markets.
SkyShowtime is available in 22 European markets, including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and the Nordics. The streaming service plans to launch 10 original series by the end of 2023. Some of the current original series on the platform include Bosé, Codename: Annika, Fleeting Lies, and Poker Face.
Sarhan expressed his confidence in Finke’s abilities, stating, “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 expressed his excitement about joining SkyShowtime and the company’s commitment to local programming. He added, “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.”
With this latest appointment, SkyShowtime is positioning itself for further growth and success in the European streaming market.