ITV Choice appoints channel director

ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVSGE) has appointed a former BBC Worldwide and Fox Sports commercial executive as channel director of international pay net ITV Choice.

Nic van Zwanenberg takes the post at ITV Choice, which operates in numerous territories including the Middle East and Asia. He will also spearhead development of the general entertainment-focused network, which was known as ITV Granada until March last year.

Van Zwanenberg joined UK broadcaster ITV’s commercial arm this month and will be based in Hong Kong. He replaces Simon Li, who held the role until late last year but has now exited ITVSGE, a spokeswoman told DTVE’s sister publication TBI.

Van Zwanenberg has been consulting since June last year. Before that, he was senior director, affiliate and multimedia sales at Fox Sports (formerly known as ESPN Star Sports) for four years. Prior to that he spent 15 years at the BBC’s commercial arm BBCWW as commercial manager and director, and also held roles at ITVSGE predecessor Granada LWT International and Spafax Airline Network.

The exec is also credited for being instrumental in the development of the Asian multichannel TV association CASBAA.

In the new role, he reports into ITVSGE’s senior VP, Asia Pacific Augustus Dulgaro, who said: “Nic is a proven leader, a focused strategist with an impeccable track record and I’m sure he will continue to grow and enhance our international channel business.”