– Discovery Veteran Previously Led European Business and Has Extensive Experience in Asia –
New Delhi, 9 July, 2015 – Discovery Networks International (DNI) has named Arthur Bastings as the new head of the Asia-Pacific region, effective 1 September. The announcement was made by Jean-Briac Perrette, President of DNI, to whom Bastings will report.
As President and Managing Director of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP), Bastings is responsible for setting the regional strategy and maximising the potential of DNAP’s business and workforce to accelerate the company’s expansion. He will be based out of the Singapore office.
Bastings joins DNAP from Millicom, an international telecommunications and media company, where he was a member of the Executive Committee responsible for Africa and Financial Services, focusing on mobile and information and communications technology convergence. He brings over 20 years’ experience working in the TV and media business, including several years leading strategy and business development for Viacom across Asia. Bastings also previously spent six years as Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for Discovery. Under his leadership, Discovery’s EMEA business transformed by doubling audiences and generating exceptional organic growth that resulted in one of the fastest growing and largest pay TV businesses in the region.
“The Asia Pacific region encompasses two thirds of the world’s population and thus represents one of the biggest growth opportunities for our company. Arthur has a remarkable combination of experience in Asia, strong strategic thinking, and a proven track record of growth and building strong teams. His deep knowledge of Discovery and familiarity with the Asia market will give him a great head start in accelerating DNAP’s expansion,” said Perrette.
Since launching Discovery Channel in the region over 20 years ago, DNAP is now 15 channels strong. DNAP is committed to continue investing and building its scale and market share in Asia Pacific, a key region for Discovery’s international business. Backing its localization strategy to deepen its connection and relevancy with audiences, DNAP opened new local offices this year in Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur and Manila, and continued the momentum with the appointment of a new country head in Korea.
DNAP also stepped up its game by securing exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in Singapore, and the recent acquisition of Setanta Sports Asia. Bastings’ remit will include fortifying DNAP’s sports offering and leading strategies in the region, in partnership with Peter Hutton, CEO of Eurosport.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
About Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, a division of the number-one pay-TV programmer Discovery Communications, is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its portfolio of 14 brands. From survival to natural history, wonders of science to extreme jobs, motoring to travel and lifestyle, and the latest engineering marvels to live sporting events, each channel offers distinct must-watch programming to engage viewers across the region. The network’s 14 brands reach 674 million cumulative subscribers in 36 countries and territories with programming customised in 14 languages and dialects. For more information, please visit www.asia.discovery.com.