Cathy Payne to Lead Combined Endemol/Southern Star Slate

HILVERSUM: Following Endemol’s acquisition of Southern Star, Cathy Payne has been tapped to head up the combined program-distribution business, overseeing a catalogue of some 2,000 formats and 20,000 hours of content. 

Payne, previously CEO of Southern Star International, will now serve as the CEO of the integrated distribution business at the Endemol Group. She is relocating to London to take up the post, where she will report to Tom Toumazis, the chief commercial officer of the Endemol Group. Payne leads the exploitation of a slate that spans drama, children’s TV, animation, entertainment and reality formats and factual programs. Key titles include, from Southern Star, Home & Away, Packed to the Rafters, Hi-5, Rush and the recently announced LMNO catalogue, combined with Endemol’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Wipeout, Fear Factor and the catalogue of American reality producer 51 Minds Entertainment.

“Cathy’s expertise in content distribution is second to none," Toumazis said. "She has built a tremendous business over the last 10 years and has an exceptional knowledge and understanding of the major TV markets around the world. She is a great asset to the Endemol Group and I couldn’t think of anyone better qualified to run our distribution business.”

Payne added: “Bringing together Endemol and Southern Star’s business creates a global distribution powerhouse that will provide a world beating service to both the producers we represent and the broadcasters/licensees we sell to. The group is already one of the world’s largest content distributors and we are committed to further growing the business, particularly in areas such as drama and third party representation. Our combined operation boasts some of the most dedicated and talented executives in the industry and I am greatly looking forward to taking up this new role. “

Meanwhile, Caroline Torrance will step down as the executive director of scripted programming and distribution in September. "As the Endemol and Southern Star distribution activities merge, the time feels right to move on," said Torrance, who joined Endemol from Granada International. "I have had the pleasure of working in a great company and with a wonderful group of people. I’ll miss them all but I know the distribution operation couldn’t be in better hands.”