Alison Bakunowich


Nick UK poaches Scripps programming exec

Nickelodeon UK & Ireland has hired a Scripps Networks International VP of programming. As of July 3, Katharina Feistauer will be VP of programming at Nick UK, reporting to UK and Ireland general manager Alison Bakunowich. She was previously VP of programming for the UK and EMEA at Scripps. The news comes in the same […]

Viacom poaches BBC exec for UK kids role

Viacom has hired Sarah Muller to run its kids programming at Channel 5. The new recruit is joining from UK pubcaster the BBC where she is creative director – scripted, animation, coproduction and feature film. She will oversee commissioning and acquisitions at the free-to-air net, which Viacom acquired in 2014, and places her in charge […]

Nick at Nite coming to UK & Ireland

Nickelodeon UK & Ireland has for the first time brought tween and teen programming block Nick at Nite to the British Isles. The block, which has broadcast on US cable TV for three decades, launched in the UK and Ireland last night. It will go out on weekday evenings at 7pm, targeting 11-15-year-olds with programming […]

Nick hires NBCU exec for UK post

Nickelodeon has hired NBCUniversal International’s director of programming in the UK. James Newton is joining Viacom International Media Network-owned Nick UK & Ireland as VP, programming. At NBCU, he was director of UK programming, working across channels such as E!, Syfy and Universal Channel. He will oversee scheduling and editorial strategy at pay TV channel […]

Nick UK orders digital comedy series

As Nickelodeon UK prepares for new management, the pay TV channel has commissioned a 5x5mins comedy for its digital platforms. Tinkershrimp & Dutch comes from London-based creative agency Ralph. It will debut on nick.co.uk, nicktoons.co.uk and the Nick Play app on January 15. A behind-the-scenes video debuted yesterday. The news comes as Nick UK prepares […]

McCann exits Nick UK, new GM installed

Tina McCann is exiting Nickelodeon UK as part of a “management handover” that sees VP, editorial Alison Bakunowich named general manager. McCann has been Nick UK’s managing director for the past five-and-a-half years, but is exiting to resume work as a freelance executive coach and media consultant. Bakunowich takes up her new role in March, […]

Comedy Central poaches BuzzFeed exec

Comedy Central has poached Philly Byrne from BuzzFeed to run its digital operations in the UK. As digital director, Byrne will head up the digital team at Viacom’s Comedy Central UK, creating and implementing the strategy for the Comedy Central UK website. He will report to Alison Bakunowich, vice president, creative, marketing and communications for […]