MTG programming exec departs for Millicom

Louise Ernst has left her position of head of programming at Modern Times Group’s Viaplay to join Millicom, TBI has learned.

Ernst has been at Viaplay, the on-demand service run by MTGx, since 2012, and in different positions at divisions of parent company MTG since 2005.

Latin America and Africa-focussed telco and media firm Millicom confirmed that she joined the company as its programming manager. A spokesman would not elaborate on the role, citing commercial sensitivity, above saying Ernst will be sourcing content for Millicom’s growing range of TV services.

The company runs a TV service in several Latin American markets under the Tigo Star brand. It has also acquired channels, buying Cablevision in Paraguay and Multivision in Bolivia last year.

MTG confirmed Ernst’s departure and told TBI that Lina Brounéus has assumed the position of programme director at Viaplay. She now oversees all content, series, movies, sports and kids programming on the platform. Brounéus was previously head of operations at Viaplay.

Ernst’s is the latest in a line of MTG executives to move Millicom in recent times, a trend that started with MTG CEO Hans Holger Albrecht taking the top job at the telco in 2012.

MTG and Millicom share a major shareholder in Swedish investment firm Kinnevik. The Stockholm-listed firm has a 20.3% holding in MTG (and 48% share of its voting stock) and a 38% stake in Millicom.

MTG noted that Viaplay is strengthening its exclusive content line-up. This month it launched the new concept Viaplay Premiere where new content is exclusively premiered in Scandinavia on Viaplay. 24: Live Another Day premiered straight after the US launch and on 31 May the new series Crossbones will be shown less than 24h after the network launch in the US.