Cosentino rises as Bell reshuffles top team

Canadian media giant has placed Mike Cosentino in charge of English-language programming and SVOD service CraveTV as part of a wider reshuffle.

Bell has promoted Cosentino (pictured), production chief Nanci MacLean and TSN president Stewart Johnston to new positions after Stuart Garvie moved to become CEO of GroupM Canada.

The changes come six months after Bell replaced president Mary Anne Turck with content chief Randy Lennox, who had joined from Universal Music Canada in 2015.

Cosentino is upped from senior VP of Bell-owned CTV and specialty, a role he’s held since last year, to president of content and programming.

The position will see him oversee acquisitions for Bell’s English-language channels, specialty and digital networks such as CraveTV, which competes with Netflix and Amazon in the Canadian SVOD market.

He is also handed control of original programming from in-house and indie producers, all of which now aligns under him.

The other changes see VP of in-house production MacLean becoming VP and head of Bell Media Studios, putting her in charge of all in-house production. Now under her control are businesses including Mighty Ships prodco Exploration Production.

She will work closely with Lennox to develop new content, partnerships and business opportunities.

With Garvie exiting, Johnston becomes president of media sales and marketing, along with his role at sports network TSN, which he has run since 2010.

“With today’s appointments, we’re delighted to recognise the deep wealth of experience and industry respect for Stewart, Mike, and Nanci,” said Lennox. “These three leaders are positioned to drive Bell Media forward in how we collaborate with our partners, create content, and deliver results.”