Mediaset reorganises, appoints new channel bosses

Italian broadcaster Mediaset has unveiled a new centralised organisational structure for its Italian channels under Marco Paolini, head of scheduling and distribution.

Laura Casarotto, currently head of marketing for Mediaset TV, will become the first female director of flagship channel Italia 1, while Mediaset marketing communications director Sebastiano Lombardi will meanwhile become director of Rete4.

All free thematic channels will be in the charge of Marco Cost, currently deputy director of Canale 5.

The current Italia 1 director, Luca Tiraboschi, has been given a new role as editorial director for infotainment programming, while Rete4 chief Giuseppe Feyles has been given responsibility for coordinating the production of entertainment shows.

Last week, Reuters reported Mediaset’s attempts to find a buyer for a stake in its Italian pay TV business had slowed after Al-Jazeera and Vivendi were put off by the price.

Buyers were alarmed by the €900 million (US$1.2 billion) price tag Mediaset quoted after Spanish telco Teléfonica paid €100 million for an 11% stake in Mediaset Premium in July.

Mediaset has been wrestling with its finances for some time, and remains in talks to find a buyer for Mediaset Premium.