Viaplay appoints EVP & head of sports to replace departed Peter Nørrelund

Cecilia Gave

Viaplay has appointed one of its veteran execs to oversee the Nordic streamer’s sports operations and taking on the role previously held by Peter Nørrelund.

Cecilia Gave becomes EVP & head of sports and will oversee the strategic development for Viaplay, as well as coordinating the management of its sports operations across all markets.

She also joins the group’s executive management team and is based in Stockholm, replacing Nørrelund who left last month after two decades with the company.

Viaplay & Gave to ‘leverage’ sports rights

Gave joined Viaplay in 2016 and has held various leadership roles, most recently VP of sport production.

She has also been VP & head of Sports Norway and SVP & group head of Viafree, as well as head of operations for MTG Sport Sweden. Before joining Viaplay, Gave worked for Boxer TV, Titan Television and Schibsted.

Anders Jensen, Viaplay Group president and CEO, said: “Viaplay has a unique market position with a portfolio of top-class sports rights, combined with great live coverage and studios, now it is time to further leverage on these rights, drive growth and maximise their full potential in our markets.

“Cecilia’s extensive experience and leadership qualities make her the ideal choice to lead our sports department into the exciting future.”

The sports rights portfolio is overseen directly by Jensen and managed by Rune Knudsen, SVP & head of sports in Continental Europe & Baltics, alongside Edward Breeze for the UK.