Viasat Broadcasting has appointed Aleks Habdank as COO of its Pay-TV Emerging Markets operations, effective May 7.
Reporting to Irina Gofman, CEO of MTG’s Russian, CIS and Emerging Markets pay-TV operations and supporting her on the operations within her business area, he will be based in London and manage Viasat Broadcasting’s pay-TV channel operations in CEE and develop its pay-TV business in the Emerging Markets.
Habdank joins Viasat Broadcasting from Virgin Media, where he was most recently director of digital entertainment products, with responsibility for the TiVo, linear TV, VOD, online and multiscreen services, including the launch of Virgin Movies and Virgin TV Anywhere.
He was previously general manager of Chello On Demand, which was part of Liberty Global’s Chellomedia content division.
He has also worked for ntl (cable communications) and Zone Vision Group (broadcaster) and is a board director of CTAM Europe (Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing).
Commenting on his appointment, Gofman said: “We are very happy to have Aleks on board. His strong digital background and intimate knowledge of the Eastern European and international markets makes him the perfect candidate to develop our ever-increasing portfolio of pay-TV channels, and to grow our satellite and online pay-TV subscriber bases across our territories.”
