Exclusive: Fremantle’s VP of FAST channels Valerio Motti steps down

Viacom ritratti

Fremantle’s VP of FAST channels Valerio Motti has left the company after 18 months in the role, TBI has learned.

Former ViacomCBS exec Motti joined the UK-based production & distribution giant in July 2022 to work across its FAST operations, which include 33 channels focused on shows such as Baywatch, America’s Got Talent and The Price Is Right.

It also operates multi-genre channels including Places And Spaces, Cook Chop Chat, Sleuth and Quip.

America’s Got Talent

Motti joined Fremantle having been head of streaming for UK-based Shorts International and before that was VP of business development, digital media & content distribution for ViacomCBS (now known as Paramount).

During a six-year stint, he led multinational strategic projects, including the launches of new OTT streaming services and linear TV channels. He has also previously held roles at AOL-Time Warner (Verizon Media), Mediaset and Telecom Italia.

Motti’s next move is not yet known but the exec told TBI: “Leading Fremantle’s international FAST business has been a unique experience and I am proud of the amazing work the team accomplished working together: 33 FAST channels launched across 20+ platforms, generating 130+ unique linear feeds.

“These achievements were not just milestones in my career, but also a testament to the collaborative spirit and strong culture of Fremantle.”

Motti’s exit from Fremantle comes six months since the company hired former Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment exec Laura Florence as SVP of global FAST channels. She is based out of LA and reports into Jens Richter, CEO of commercial & international.

Fremantle was an early proponent of FAST channels with its Buzzr service, which launched in 2015 under the late Mark Deetjen, the company’s former EVP of global channels who died aged 50 in March 2022.

TBI revealed earlier this year that FAST revenues are set to reach $12bn by 2027, according to sibling research firm Omdia, with US revenues expected to surpass $10bn by 2027. In Europe, revenues are expected to exceed $1bn by that time.