Lionsgate promotes Hughes to VOD sales chief

Stateside studio Lionsgate has promoted Thomas Hughes to executive VP, worldwide digital distribution.

In the role, he will work closely with Lionsgate Telelvision’s international president Peter Iacono to grow digital opportunities globally.

The exec, formerly senior VP of worldwide digital, will continue to report into Lionsgate’s president, worldwide television and digital distribution Jim Packer.

He is credited with playing a key role in Lionsgate becoming the first non-Big Six studio to licence content to Comcast when the operator moved into electronic sell-through. He also closed digital deals with the like of iTunes, Amazon and Xbox.

The promotion means Lionsgate is bringing its digital distribution of film and TV content closer together.

“Our licensing of film and television content to digital and on demand platforms around the world is an area of explosive growth, and Thomas will help spearhead our team’s initiatives in capitalising on emerging opportunities throughout the global marketplace,” said Packer.