Vice Media’s distribution chief Bea Hegedus leaves embattled company

Bea Hegedus

Vice Media Group’s distribution chief Bea Hegedus has left the company, following a restructuring of its senior ranks.

Former ITV Studios (ITVS) and Lionsgate exec Hegedus joined Vice in July 2020 to lead the company’s then-nascent global distribution and licensing strategy.

She sold a catalogue of around 1,000 hours of programming including Dark Side Of The Ring and Gaycation to networks and streamers around the world, as well as setting up its FAST business.

Gaycation

Hegedus, who had been VP of global scripted content at ITVS, initially joined Vice as SVP & global head of distribution before rising to become executive managing director of global distribution.

Her next move is not yet know, but in a note to clients Hegedus said her exit was “not a good-bye”.

She added: “Vice content will remain strong, Vice will continue innovating on many new fronts and the lucky distributor that will have our content will surely have fun monetising it.”

Hegedus’ exit comes amid an almost two-year battle to save the company, which has seen hundreds of staff and a raft of senior execs depart.

President of global TV, Morgan Hertzan, exited earlier this month while Hozefa Lokhandwala stepped down as co-CEO late last year, leaving Bruce Dixon in sole charge.

Dixon and Lokhandwala had been appointed following the exit of former CEO Nancy Dubuc in February 2023, after attempts to sell the business failed.

It was eventually sold to former lenders Fortress Investment Group, Soros Fund Management and Monroe Capital in June last year, following the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Vice Media Group is, at present, home to UK-based Gangs Of London producer Pulse Films, as well as the Vice TV network, the Vice Studios film & TV unit, a distribution arm, Refinery29, agency Carrot Creative and fashion title i-D. UK trade Broadcast broke news of Hegedus’ exit.