France’s D8 hires new entertainment chief

Julien Lalande has been appointed head of entertainment at Canal+’s DTT service D8.

He replaces Frank Appietto who was upped to director general of D8 and took a wider role at Canal+ earlier this year.

Lalande will report to Appietto. He started his career as a journalist before moving into TV as development director, and producer of D8 comedy panel show Touche Pas à Mon Poste, at Banijay-owned H2O Productions.

The news comes soon after Bolloré exec Serge Nedjar was appointed head of news channel iTele. He replaced Cécilia Ragueneau, who was a victim of restructuring earlier this year.

Vincent Bolloré, who is chairman of Canal+ parent Vivendi, has been making wholesale changes at the French pay TV provider. He recently indicated he may eliminate Canal+’s free TV efforts in a bid to reduce costs.