Shine hires new boss for Clash of the Choirs producer

Shine has hired a new boss for its restructured format producer Friday TV.

Friday is one of the companies in the Metronome group, which Shine bought for SEK719 million (US$88 million) in April, 2009 and Shine has appointed Per Blankens its new managing director.

He fills the gap left after cofounders Jock Millgårdh and Mattias Olsson announced last year that they were leaving and the departure of another of the company founders Estelle Bodén. Shie said Boden was leaving in conjunction with upcoming parental leave and to pursue other future challenges.

Sweden’s Friday TV is behind formats including Clash of the Choirs, Single Moms and Minute to Win It, which Shine claims was the world’s most travelled format in 2011.

Blankens joins from another Metronome company, Meter Television where he is head of programmes, producing the local version of Idol and coverage of the Eurovision song contest among other shows.

“Per is one of Sweden’s best programme creators and has enormous experience of developing, as well as producing, new TV programmes. He has extensive experience as a creative leader, is a highly regarded individual in the group and as such is made for this roll.” says Anna Rydin, Head of Metronome’s Swedish unscripted TV-productions.

“This is one of the most exciting and interesting offers I have had during my whole TV career and I am delighted to accept.” says Per Blankens.