p04,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-19 Euro 50 Al-Ciorcirlan NovDec08v4 7/11/08 16:03 Page 8
Euro 50 > Leaders in broadband and pay-TV Digital TV Europe
November/December 2008
Richard Alden CEO, Ono
Richard Alden can look back on a year that getting ugly. These are relatively resilient
saw Ono recently record 10 million video-on- industries in economic downturns but we are
demand requests and make successful strides going to see many more people that just can’t
in driving TV penetration. pay. Prices will go further south as those that
can pay won’t pay for the luxuries. And then
Age 44 comes the squeeze on the costs as inflation
rages out of control. Not being too negative,
Education UK Chartered Accountant, BA am I? I haven’t mentioned that most of us are
(modern History and Politics). pretty highly leveraged, that the banks are
consolidating, collapsing or closing their tele-
Years in industry 13 coms desks. Many of the financing arrange-
ments are sound today but become less sound
Job description A cross between a punch- the longer the crisis lasts. Other than that it’s compelling – a bit like business life these days.
bag, a motivational guru and the man with the all great.
big bad stick. The role of CEO is multi-faceted Little-known fact I would take the 5th
but always lonely. I forget the bit about being Positive thoughts for 2009 As CEO of the amendment. If it was worth knowing (and it is)
also a Johnny-no-friends because that also company I anticipate a lot. As a human being I it would get me into trouble and there is
goes with the role. say, “lets not get ahead of ourselves shall we”. enough of that in the business world these
It hasn’t even started. days without inviting pain. On the pain front,
Last year’s highlights Finishing the integra- rumours of a sado-masochistic streak are
tion with Auna. Completed in a record two Personal aims for the year ahead Keep strictly business related, of course.
years. More than €240m of annual EBITDA sane, keep smiling and always remember it’s
improvements, common systems, common better to burn out than it is to rust. Probably Life outside work Frustration-reducing action
platforms, common products etc. Now where not the place to mention the beach... sports, from the tamest (running) to the more
is the next mountain to climb? challenging (sailing, canoeing, canyoning). I will
Favourite TV show Los Hombres de Paco – a try most things at least once but am expert in
Reflections on the downturn It’s already Spanish police TV series. It’s quite absurd but none. Music, books with a happy end.
Arthur Bastings Executive vice-president and managing director, Discovery Networks EMEA
Age 42 Germany, our first free-to-air network, has
grown to become one of the leading channels
Education BA in Business Administration, for men in Germany.
Nijenrode University, the Netherlands; MA in
International Economics and European studies Reflections on the downturn Discovery’s
from SAIS/John Hopkins University, US. EMEA business is very stable thanks to a dual
revenue stream that includes both distribution
Years in industry 14 years. fees and advertising as well as strong geo-
graphical diversity across the portfolio.
Last year’s highlights We continued to drive
growth through strong localisation, including Positive thoughts for 2009 Ongoing new
increased investment in local advertising capa- business development opportunities and chan-
bilities across the region. We launched new nel portfolio expansion.
local feeds in central and eastern Europe and
rolled out local ad sales in Russia early in the Personal aims for the year ahead Ongoing
year. Discovery now boasts leading analogue development of our pioneering leadership
channels across EMEA that are ranked among team in EMEA.
Under Arthur Bastings’ leadership, Discovery the top ten national networks in key markets
Networks EMEA has become the broadcaster’s including Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Favourite TV show Any crime programming
fastest growing business. Poland, Hungary and South Africa. DMAX in because I love suspense!
Visit us at www.digitaltveurope.net
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