López Tapped as President, COO, FOX International Channels

LOS ANGELES, July 13: Hernán López has been promoted to president and COO of the FOX International Channels (FIC) Group, reporting to David Haslingden, the president and CEO of FOX International Channels, National Geographic Channels International and National Geographic Channel in the U.S.

López was previously president of FOX Latin American Channels (FLAC) and managing director of FOX Channels UK. His promotion is effective immediately.

In his new role, López  will maintain his current responsibilities for Latin America and the U.K., and in addition will spearhead business development for all of FIC.

“FIC has been able to outperform the market consistently over the last seven years and we’re confident and excited by the prospect of doing the same over the next seven,” said López . “I’m delighted that this promotion will allow me to help my colleagues at FIC around the world to continue our aggressive growth goals.”

Haslingden added: “Hernán has proved himself an outstanding executive. Since taking over, FLAC has grown from an impressive medium-size operator of basic cable channels to a diversified, well-positioned media company in one of the fastest-growing markets. FX U.K. has become a favored network for its demo-target in the very crowded and segmented British pay-TV market. I am eager to tap his entrepreneurial spirit and business development skills for the benefit of the whole FIC group.”

López has been responsible for growing FOX’s basic and premium channels in Latin America and the U.K., including Canal FOX, FX, Fox Life, SPEED, National Geographic Channel, Utilisima, Cinecanal and Movie City; its production houses, Fox Toma 1 and Fox Telecolombia; and its online operation. Since his appointment as general manager, the company launched FX, Fox Life, Speed Channel and Baby TV in Latin America, and FX and FX+ in the U.K.

With a stable of 18 channel brands, FIC broadcasts more than 58 television services in 29 languages. The networks and their related mobile and high-definition extensions reach more than 350 million subscribing households.