The BBC has announced Kerensa Samanidis will become general manager for BBC iPlayer.
Samanidis joins from Channel 4, where she has been working on its international streaming business, and will start the new role on 19 June.
Reporting into Dan McGolpin, Director of BBC iPlayer and Channels, Kerensa will be responsible for the delivery of the BBC iPlayer growth strategy and management of the overall iPlayer operation. She’ll work with teams across the BBC, including product, marketing and editorial.
Dan McGolpin, Director of BBC iPlayer and Channels said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kerensa to the BBC, her fantastic experience working across a wide range of video streaming businesses and her relentless focus on audience growth is going to help galvanise teams right across the organisation as we all work together to propel BBC iPlayer to the next level.”
Kerensa Samanidis added: “The BBC and its iconic iPlayer streaming service have consistently led innovation in the industry, so it is a great honour to be brought in to continue this work and drive further progress with the service. I am looking forward to working with Dan and the talented teams at the BBC at such an important time in its digital future.”
Samanidis started in streaming in the early 2000’s at Sony where she developed PlayStation’s first video on demand strategy for the newly ‘network-connected’ PlayStation 2. She later held leadership roles at the BFI, WarnerMedia and AMC Networks where she launched and managed a range of international streaming services. She also ran a successful consulting business with clients including BritBox International, BBC and Channel 4.
