Australia’s SBS names Matthew Hancock to head up On Demand

Australian pubcaster SBS has appointed Matthew Hancock to lead its on demand offering.

Hancock, who was previously head of priorities & planning for the broadcasters TV and online division, will become general manager of SBS On Demand having joined the organisation in 2016.

He replaces Abigail Thomas, who now works at SBS’s corporate strategy team, and was previously manager at Screen Producers Australia.

Marshall Heald, SBS’s director of TV & online content, said: “Matt brings a unique mix of strategic experience and analytical skill from extensive experience working in the sector along with a deep understanding of our audiences and the evolving streaming environment we operate in.

“SBS On Demand has experienced significant growth and success in recent years, testament to the dedicated team and leadership who have focused on building the platform and its offering for audiences in an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing market.

“Matt is well placed to further develop and drive our strategy, taking SBS On Demand into its next phase as we continue to evolve the platform and improve our offering for audiences.”

Hancock added: “SBS On Demand is Australia’s most distinctive streaming destination, with more than 9,000 hours of content in over 50 languages for free. I’m thrilled at being able to collaborate with a passionate team of specialists that put audience first, dedicated to building a world-class user experience that connects our viewers with a unique, compelling and evolving content proposition unlike any other.”