That means that James Gibbons becomes responsible for looking after Discovery's multiple TV channels available on MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV pay-TV platforms in South Africa and on DStv throughout Africa.
James Gibbons will be looking after TV channels such as TLC, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and ID Investigation Discovery in South Africa and across the African continent from London. He has been based in Japan the past five years managing Discovery's operations there. His new goal will be to grow and develop Discovery's business in South Africa and Africa as well as in the other CEEMEA regions.
"I am both excited at this new opportunity and confident that we will continue to focus on the expansion of Discovery Networks in South Africa, Turkey, the Middle East and across the African continent through broader distribution with a view to creating greater local relevance for our valued viewers and partners," says James Gibbons in a press statement.
"We continue to lead the factual entertainment space in these markets and I'm looking forward to working with our talented teams to further expand Discovery's footprint, while continuing to deliver the highest quality programmes in the region," says James Gibbons.
"I am delighted that James is joining our team," says Kaisa Kieli, the president and managing director for Discovery CEEMEA. "He is well-placed to springboard our business in markets where we believe there is potential for greater growth, such as Turkey, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East."