Factual prodco KM hires former France TV exec Catherine Alvaresse as CEO

Catherine Alvaresse (Source: Banijay)

Banijay France’s factual label KM has appointed former France Télévisions exec Catherine Alvaresse as CEO.

Taking up the role with immediate effect, Alvaresse will define and oversee the company’s strategy, with a particularly focus on ramping up the label’s documentaries and current affairs programming.

Alvaresse will work closely with Alexia Laroche-Joubert, CEO at Banijay France, as well as the existing team of producers on shows like the recently announced Karl Lagerfeld documentary, Révélation, for Canal+, as well as other major docuseries in the pipeline, and long-running daily current affairs series 28 Minutes, for Arte.

Alvaresse most recently served as director of documentaries at France Télévisions from 2019 to 2023. She stepped down in early March 2023 due to reported disagreements over the editorial line, amid concerns at the time surrounding the public broadcaster’s doc strategy.

She has also held roles at Image & Compagnie, Off the Fence and Télé Images Group, and was previously head of documentaries & cultural shows at France 2, having also spent five years as deputy director of specialist factual at ARTE France until 2016.

“For this role we actively sought a personality with extensive international and broadcaster experience. Catherine’s past work with Arte and France Télévisons uniquely positions her to maintain and strengthen KM’s long-standing relationships with them,” said Laroche-Joubert.

“Her industry know-how, impressive credits, vast talent network and expertise in building compelling topics for broad audiences, makes her the ideal person to bolster KM’s position in the high-end factual space. She will also further develop the current affairs programming by collaborating with the teams behind 28 Minutes.”