Acorn TV Hires New GM for International

AMC Networks’ Acorn TV has appointed Kerensa Samanidis to the newly created role of general manager of international.

In the position, Samanidis is responsible for the overall development, management and operation of the TV streaming service for all markets outside of the Americas. She oversees strategy, programming, product, marketing and distribution. Based in London, Kerensa will report to Matthew Graham, general manager of Acorn TV.

Last year, Acorn TV expanded into dozens of territories including Mexico, Spain, Scandinavia, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

Samanidis has recently been a consultant for Acorn TV and brings a wealth of expertise in OTT strategy and management to her new role, having previously devised and launched services for Sony PlayStation, BFI and Turner (WarnerMedia). She was previously general manager of FilmStruck International where she oversaw the launch and growth of the service across Europe.

Rakhee Birdi has also joined the company as marketing director for Acorn TV’s international team. She previously led marketing at FilmStruck International and was head of subscription marketing for News Inc in the U.K.

Graham said, “We’re thrilled to have Kerensa join the Acorn TV family and grow our international subscribership. Since launching in dozens of territories last year, we’ve seen extraordinary worldwide interest in the service and its first-rate catalog of exclusive international dramas, mysteries, and comedies. With Kerensa’s past success with streaming services, we expect her to play a vital role in our continued international growth.”

Samanidis said, “Acorn TV has achieved monumental success in the U.S. and Canada, and I’m delighted to be joining the talented team to continue this success story in new markets. The demand for quality British TV has never been higher so it’s exciting to be working on a service with such strong potential at such a pivotal time within the OTT industry.”