Foxtel names channel chief

Australian pay TV group has named a new channels chief in the shape of ex-group programme manager Stephen Baldwin.

He is returning to the News Corp.- and Telstra-owned company after five years at broadcast tech company Ai-Media, most recently as COO.

Baldwin will take on the newly created role of head of channels and operations at Foxtel Networks, the channels arm that sits within the group.

His hire will allow executive director of television Brian Walsh and his number two, Ross Crowley, to focus on “strategy, content, growth, our expanded production slate and the ever changing commercial environment”, according to Walsh.

The hire also closely follows a programming restructure that saw Crowley promoted to director of content strategy and programming, and Tony Pollitt become general manager of business affairs – content and networks.

Baldwin previously joined Foxtel in 1998 and held various technical and operations roles before becoming general manager of television ops and group programme manager, a role in which he was responsible for forward planning and scheduling of channels.

He also worked on local format development and oversaw the local versions of FOX8 and Arena shows such as Australia’s Next Top Model and Project Runway Australia.

He takes on his new post next week on Monday, July 20.