Canadian firm merges channels and streaming division with distribution arm
Canada’s Blue Ant Media Corporation is merging its global channels and streaming division with its distribution arm, with Carlyn Staudt departing as a result.
The move comes less than a year since the company went public and will see the launch of Blue Ant Rights & Streaming. Mark Bishop, who joined Blue Ant when it acquired Marblemedia, becomes chief monetisation officer.
Bishop will oversee content distribution, rights strategy, streamers and audience growth, while the company’s Studios unit will be led by Matt Hornburg, chief content officer at Blue Ant Studios.
He also joined Blue Ant following its deal for Marblemedia, which was co-founded Hornburg and Bishop, and will be responsible for content strategy, development and the production business.
A third unit, Canadian Media, is to be led by Mitch Dent who becomes president and oversees domestic broadcasting, consumer shows, and the Cottage Life publishing business.
The Toronto-based firm, whose share price has dipped almost 30% this year, said that combining the divisions would enable it to take “a more strategic and coordinated approach” to content distribution, windowing, partnerships and monetisation.
The overhaul will see Staudt, president of global channels & streaming, departing Blue Ant at the end of the summer following almost a decade with the company.
The former Nat Geo exec joined in 2017 and was upped to her most recent role last year, overseeing all channels, the Love Nature brand and the FAST, AVoD and SVoD operations, including the MagellanTV streamer acquired in 2025.
As part of the overhaul, Blue Ant’s distribution arm will now be organised under regional leadership, with execs reporting to Bishop. Former BBC Studios exec Jon Penn continues to lead APAC, Bryan Gabourie oversees Americas, and an EMEA exec is being sought.
Other changes see Craig Junner upped to executive vice president and general manager of global channels & streaming, reporting to Bishop. His remit includes Blue Ant’s global channels and streaming businesses, including its pay TV, SVoD and FAST services.
Blue Ant’s chief exec, Michael MacMillan, said: “As our content portfolio, customer relationships, and distribution footprint have grown significantly, it became clear that a more unified approach to content monetisation would enable us to better capitalise on opportunities across platforms and markets.
“This structure gives us greater visibility across the content life cycle, enabling us to better serve our partners, unlock greater value from our content across platforms and territories, and capitalise on opportunities in a rapidly evolving media landscape.”
On Staudt’s exit, MacMillan added: “Carlyn has made significant contributions to Blue Ant Media’s growth and success over the years. We are grateful for her leadership, commitment and partnership, and we wish her every success in the future.”
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