Foxtel rejigs programming team

Australian pay TV leader Foxtel has restructured its programming and studio negotiations team.

One key change sees networks director of programming and channels Ross Crowley promoted to director of content strategy and programming.

This will mean he oversees content strategy, rights and negotiations, with Tony Pollitt promoted to general manager, business affairs – content and networks. The pair will work together on drama and key commercial negotiations, with Pollitt in charge of studio negotiations.

Crowley and Pollitt will also work with executive director of content partnerships Ben Buckley and newly appointed head of rights and negotiations Sam Hall. Fleur Fahey keeps her title as general manager, acquisitions for Foxtel Networks, the pay operator’s joint venture channels business.

Crowley will continue to report into Foxtel’s executive director of television, Brian Walsh (pictured).

Elsewhere, Foxtel Networks’ director of production, Duane Hatherly, will continue to lead his department, now with a heightened focus on developing new shows and formats.

He previously held the dual roles of director of production and head of lifestyle channels, but general manager of lifestyle channels Hannah Barnes will assume management responsibilities.

The changes at the News Corp- and Telstra-owned pay group come into effect from July 1.