Promotions, Acquisitions & More at AMC/Sundance Channel Global

NEW YORK: There are several exclusive premieres for linear and VOD services at AMC/Sundance Channel Global, which has made a series of executive appointments and programming acquisitions ahead of MIPTV.

Harold Gronenthal has been elevated to executive VP of programming and operations. Jennie Morris has been promoted to VP of affiliate marketing, and Mark Fareri to director of operations. These moves follow on recent plans to bolster staff in Asia across a number of business areas.

For its WE tv channel in Asia, the company acquired the series Push Girls from Passion Distribution. The docu-soap Cyndi, featuring music icon Cyndi Lauper, has been picked up for WE tv in Asia through a deal with WE tv in the U.S. Both shows will debut later this year.

The company also went for several cooking-themed shows for WE tv in Asia, including Rachel Ray’s Week in a Day, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Brunch at Bobby’s, all of which were picked up from Passion.

Sundance Channels has lined up a number of programming highlights to debut across Europe and Asia in the coming months. This includes five films from the Sundance Film Festival that will make their debut on VOD before their linear launches. Titles include Computer Chess, This is Martin Bonner and It Felt Like Love. Additionally, Breaking Bad will have its first-window premiere in Asia on Sundance Channel. New Seasons of Mad Men are set for debut across Sundance Channel in Europe and Asia this summer, through a deal with Lionsgate. The network will also launch the second season of The Hour in Asia in a first-window deal with Shine International. A slew of indie films will also be broadcasting on Sundance Channel this summer. In Europe the lineup includes Official Story, Hunky Dory and I Am You, while in Asia the launches include The Unloved, Shifty and Faintheart, among others.

Bruce Tuchman, the president of AMC/Sundance Channel Global, commented on the personnel appointments: “Harold has been integral to the growth of our global business, and his promotion reflects his many valuable contributions. These promotions and expanded programming initiatives reflect the strong growth of AMC/Sundance Channel Global and the increased demand for our linear and VOD services.”