The move is part of Disney’s EMEA realignment of its distribution operations within its Disney Channel, ESPN, Jetix and former Disney-ABC International Television lines of business to better serve international clients, following strong growth in its TV businesses.
Barnett will be responsible for maximising revenue and distribution for ESPN’s channels and content (ESPN Classic, NASN and ESPN in the Middle East and Africa), as well as sports programme syndication and representation and sublicensing of sports rights. He will continue to be based in London.
Barnett will continue to work closely day-to-day with the division headed by Lynne Frank, senior vice president & managing director, ESPN EMEA who said: “Murray has been an integral part of the growth and success of ESPN's efforts to further serve sports fans throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In the coming months and years, we will continue to develop our business and connect fans to the sports they love, and Murray will be a key driver of those efforts.”
The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries currently have 24 Disney-branded Channels, 13 Jetix channels and 8 ESPN channels in EMEA. It also licenses over 30,000 hours of content to 1300 broadcasters across 240 territories outside of the US.
