HBO Europe, the European arm of the Time Warner premium TV unit, has named Herve Payan CEO and plans to consolidate various European operations under his leadership. Payan will replace Linda Jensen, who has decided to leave the company at the end of the year.
Payan will take over as Jenson’s role on Jan. 1. Under his leadership, he will consolidate HBO Europe, HBO Nordic, which he launched in 2012, and HBO Netherlands.
Line Mykland will serve as COO and executive vp Nordic, with Ondrej Zach serving as COO and executive vp Central Europe. Antony Root will continue to serve as executive vp original programming and production at HBO Europe as the company continues to ramp up its original output.
Said Bernadette Aulestia, executive vp global distribution operations: “When Linda informed us she would be leaving, we took an assessment of our European operations and decided that to be most effective we should consolidate them under one venture. Linda was a significant, strategic voice in this reorganization and we thank her for that and all she has done.”
She added: “Herve has extensive experience, not only at HBO Nordic, but across Europe where he held a variety of senior positions. He is the perfect executive to lead this new structure into what will be a very exciting and dynamic future.”
Said Payan: “This reorganization brings together a wealth of exceptional abilities and experience. The European television business is evolving quickly and we will be well positioned to take advantage of all opportunities that emerge.”
HBO Europe provides HBO- and Cinemax-branded linear channels, HBO Go and HBO On Demand through operator partners in Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Moldova, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the Netherlands, HBO channels and HBO Go are provided by HBO Nederland, a joint venture between HBO Europe and cable operator Ziggo. HBO Nordic is offering a premium subscription VOD service directly to consumers and through partners in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.
“I had 11 great years at HBO and I am so proud of the success we achieved,” said Jensen. “I leave the company in the hands of such a talented team and under this new structure they will take HBO to new heights.”
