SkyShowtime names distribution and partnerships chief

Yellowstone

SkyShowtime has named a Paramount exec to work across its roll-out of the soon-to-launch streamer.

David Urgell becomes VP of distribution & partnerships at SkyShowtime, the Comcast and Paramount-operated service that yesterday revealed its launch plans for the Nordics.

Urgell had most recently been SVP of strategy, operations & business development at Paramount’s international streaming division, a role he had held since 2020 and which saw him work across Pluto TV and Paramount+, as well as SkyShowtime.

Before that he had been SVP of business development & content distribution at ViacomCBS Network EMEA (now rebranded Paramount), where he oversaw the roll-out of streamers such as Noggin and Nick+ around the world. He joined from Fox International Channels in 2014 following a seven-year stint.

SkyShowtime has been ramping up its senior exec ranks over the past six months, following its unveiling in in mid-2021.

Former BBC Studios exec Jon Farrar was appointed earlier this year to lead programming, while Raquel Berzosa  is regional general manager for Iberia, former Paramount+ exec Henriette Petersen leads for Northern Europe, and Gabor Harsanyi, also from the Paramount side, took the same role in Central and Eastern Europe. Former Comcast Cable exec Monty Sarhan was appointed CEO in January.

Sarhan unveiled his senior management team in March, including the appointment of regional chiefs in CEE and Northern Europe.

The Nordic expansion will see SkyShowtime replacing Paramount+ and offering shows from Comcast and Paramount brands, including Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation, Paramount+, Showtime, Sky Studios and Peacock.

Local original series, documentaries and specials will also feature, as well as Paramount+ series such as Yellowstone and Sky series including The Fear Index.