All the latest news from the global content industry on Monday, 8 June

 

ZDF Studios extends Schäfer’s stay

Germany’s ZDF Studios has extended the contract of president and chief exec Markus Schäfer until 2030.

Schäfer has been in the role since July 2022, since when he has worked with co-MD Karoline Meichsner-Sertl to restructure ZDF Studios Group by integrating production, distribution and digital.

ZDF director general and chair of ZDFS board, Norbert Himmler, said Schäfer had provided the group’s commercial arm with “a clear strategic direction” and “established itself as a significant production and distribution partner with an international presence.”

 

Cineflix Rights strikes CEE deals

Canal+ Polska is among CEE broadcasters to have picked up shows from Cineflix Rights on the opening day of NEM Dubrovnik.

Top of the Block, Don’t Hate Your House with the Property Brothers and Help! We Bought A Village are all headed to the Polish broadcaster’s Canal+ Domo channel, while Canal+ Luxemburg has acquired a multi regional license for Last King of The Cross S1 and S2 across Czech Republic, Slovakia, Benelux and Romania.

The platform has also bought factual titles Billionaire Boys Club for Czech Republic and Slovakia, while Kill/Switch and On Trial: The Idaho College Killer have been acquired by Viasat True Crime channel across CEE.

BBC Poland has acquired Vanished History and Recording Evil, while AMC Global Media Central Europe has picked up Don’t Hate Your House with the Property Brothers for its Spektrum Home channel across Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

 

Coolabi hires BBC alum Jo Redfern

Former BBC exec Jo Redfern has joined The Lady Grace Mysteries and Warrior Cats firm Coolabi Group in the newly created role of senior vice president of digital.

Redfern will work alongside chief exec Will Harrison and the Coolabi management team to lead digital expansion plans, focusing on building a YouTube and gaming strategy to exploit the company’s IP.

Other changes see Rachel Hughes promoted to the new role of head of digital editorial & audience growth, reporting into Redfern and leading editorial strategy, content programming and community engagement.

Other changes see Chris Snowdon upped to exec vice president of Books & Story; Allison Watkins named exec vice president of Consumer Products, and Michael Dee named senior vice president of TV.

 

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