Karol Bek, who joined A+E Networks EMEA in 2013, is to oversee all distribution, ad sales, programming and marketing activities in Romania.
He will focus on new business and developing a stronger non-linear presence for The History Channel and Crime+Investigation in the market.
Bek will also continue to hold his senior commercial director role operating out of the Warsaw office, managing the creation and implementation of a long-term commercial strategy and the development of the broadcaster’s channels in Central Europe as well as maintaining business relations with affiliate clients in the region.
He will continue to report to Izabella Wiley, SVP, General manager of A+E Networks CEE.
The team in the A+E Networks EMEA Warsaw hub, led by Wiley, oversees the company’s business across 17 countries in the region, including: Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
Commenting on his appointment, Bek said: “This year marks 14 years since the inauguration of the localised History Channel feed in Romania. The History Channel is available to 9 million viewers in Romania, maintaining the number 1 factual brand position in the country for the ninth consecutive year.
“We see the enthusiasm that both our viewers and our market partners have for our brand and programming. Our ambition is to continue to tell local stories on The HISTORY Channel and to launch a localised feed for our true-crime channel Crime+Investigation”.
