SkyShowtime names ex-Netflix exec as content chief

SkyShowtime has named former Netflix executive Kai Finke as its chief content officer, with Jon Farrar exiting after just over a year in the role.

Kai Finke

Finke will oversee all programming, with responsibility for shows from partner studios, acquisitions and originals, as well as merchandising and scheduling.

He will be based out of Amsterdam and reports to SkyShowtime CEO Monty Sarhan, joining fellow Netflix alum Anazia Budhwar at SkyShowtime, following her arrival to become director of content strategy in June.

Finke was most recently director of content for Netflix across multiple European markets, working in coproductions across Europe, particularly Germany.

He left earlier this summer having been at the company since 2015, having previously had stints at based distributor Telepool and Vodafone.

Farrar, meanwhile, is exiting just 15 months since his appointment at the company, which was first revealed in mid-2021.

He had joined from BBC Studios in 2022, where he led its direct-to-consumer programming strategy in a dual role as global VOD director and editor-in-chief of BBC Select, the BBC’s first-ever branded SVOD service in North America.

Farrar was also part of the team that developed BritBox, the streaming joint venture between BBC Studios and ITV. His next move is not yet known.

SkyShowtime offers TV, movies and original series from NBCUniversal (NBCU), Sky and Paramount to subscribers in 20 countries across Europe.

Its slate includes Bosé, Codename: Annika, Fleeting Lies, Poker Face, The Invisible Ladies, The Winner and Warszawianka, the latter among programming to have been picked up from HBO Max’s now defunct CEE originals slate.

CEO Sarhan said earlier this summer that the streamer’s deal for HBO Max shows had kickstarted its originals strategy by three years, adding that it remained “committed” to producing in the region.

Finke will look to expand this activity and increase acquisitions from partners, while also exploring originals opportunities and working with SkyShowtime’s shareholders (NBC and Paramount) to increase subscribers.

Sarhan said: “Kai is a proven programming executive who brings together strong creative sensibilities with business acumen. As we continue to expand into original programming, his wide range of experience – along with his knowledge of our markets – make him the ideal choice to lead our programming team in this next chapter of our growth.”

Finke added: “SkyShowtime’s continued push into local programming, in addition to the global exclusive series and movies available from Paramount and NBCUniversal, make the service hugely compelling for both audiences and the creative industries across Europe.

“I am hugely excited about the opportunity to be a part of the SkyShowtime team that brings this amazing entertainment line-up to over 20 markets.”