Discovery Networks International has named Robin Paxton as its new managing director for Europe, Africa and the Middle-East, writes Paul Revoir
Paxton takes up the position on 6 June and replaces Joyce Taylor who left Discovery and retired from the TV industry earlier this year.The newly promoted Discovery UK general manager David Abraham and a general manager for Discovery Europe, Middle East and Africa - who is currently being recruited - will both report to Paxton.Paxton is best known for his time at LWT where he was controller of factual programmes and then managing director of LWT Broadcasting until 1994, responsible for the LWT schedule and programme commissioning.More recently he led Walt Disney Company's television business in the Asia-Pacific region as managing director based in Hong Kong.Before that Paxton was managing director of Carlton Television in India, where he launched a TV business for the company in the subcontinent.Paxton told Broadcast: 'Discovery has built a tremendous brand and there is a tremendous opportunity for growth. My experiences give me a lot of background for this job. I come from a creative background as a producer and programme-maker, as a broadcaster putting together schedules and on the commercial side as well.'