p20,22-26,28-230,32,34-35 Euro 50 Crimp-Mockr NovDec08 v4 7/11/08 13:18 Page 22
Euro 50 > Leaders in broadband and pay-TV Digital TV Europe
November/December 2008
Robin Crossley Niall Curran COO, Chellomedia
Strategic adviser to the CEO, technology, BSkyB
Niall Curran is charged with making sure that Chellomedia, Liberty
The runner-up in our lifetime Global’s content arm, achieves its financial targets. The last year has
achievement award category, seen new distribution deals as wel as new HD and SVOD launches.
Robin Crossley has been a driv-
ing force for innovation in TV. Age 44
Age 50 (just). Education BSc in Physics from Manchester University England.
Education Electronic Years in industry 20
Engineering at University of
Surrey but I left part way Job description As chief operating officer, I focus on ensuring we
through as I wanted to start deliver optimum output from our five business operations, above all,
earning some money! that we achieve our revenue and OCF targets from our portfolio of
channels and services.
Years in industry 24 (I started out with a company called Sat-Tel in
1984, supplying three-metre satellite dishes to cable companies around Last year’s highlights After two years of M&A activity and consolida-
Europe. I then joined SES in 1986 and moved on to Sky in 1989). tion of investments, 2008 has been a year of integration, consolidation
and revenue growth for our 26-channel portfolio. Chello Zone had a
Job description BSkyB Group’s strategic adviser for technology. I good year with a major focus on distribution deals from its channel
advise our senior executives on technology-related matters, which for portfolio, in particular from JimJam. Chello Multicanal had a significant
a company like Sky, with its commitment to innovation, is an integral year with consistent ad revenue growth. Chello Benelux added key fea-
role in supporting the growth of our business. Previously I led the tures such as HD and SVOD to our premium bouquet Film1 and Sport1.
development team that developed and launched Digibox and Sky Plus. In central Europe, we have continued investing in and building a region-
al portfolio of TV channels, produced, managed and distributed locally
Last year’s highlights Sky becoming the fastest ever growing broad- with relevant content for local audiences. The acquisition of Spektrum
band supplier and topping customer polls for quality of service, reliabili- was the most recent addition to our central Europe bouquet; Chello On
ty and value; Sky+ HD maintaining its position as the leading HD serv- Demand continued delivering the UPC VOD service which is doing
ice in Europe with over half a million subscribers and over 10,000 extremely well. Overall, the highlight of 2008 has been the progress
hours of HD content per month; and Sky+ cementing it position as the that each of our local, well-focused, channels has made.
UK’s favourite PVR, being used by over 12 million individuals daily.
Reflections on the downturn It’s clear that distribution platforms,
Reflections on the downturn No consumer business is immune from advertisers and ultimately consumers have varying degrees of uncer-
the economic environment. As consumers think harder about how they tainty and concern about the future. Ultimately our product is great
spend their cash, you have to give them something they value that makes value entertainment and I’m confident that this isn’t going out of fash-
a difference to their life. We offer an exceptional entertainment experi- ion any time soon so we’re in a good position to weather a downturn.
ence, great value home communications, first class customer service. Efficiency and focus will be key themes for us in 2009. There will
That’s why more customers are taking more products from us than ever. undoubtedly be increased competition from platforms on consumer
price offerings and there may well
Positive thoughts for 2009 I have great hopes and expectations for be pressure on channels econom-
Sky+ HD. 2009 will be the year that high definition becomes main- ics but well distributed, well-
stream and Sky is at the forefront of this change. By the end of the focused and creatively strong
year we’ll have 30 dedicated HD channels, and this number will contin- channels will fare well.
ue to grow next year. We also anticipate that more and more Sky cus-
tomers will begin to bundle broadband and home phone with their TV. Positive thoughts for 2009 In
difficult economic times there are
Personal aims for the year ahead To gain my private Pilot’s Licence. opportunities for stable companies
as weaker competitors drop out of
Favourite TV show Currently it’s Lost. In the all-time favourite cate- the market. Although I anticipate a
gory it would have to be Only Fools and Horses. much reduced level of deal activi-
ty, M&A will continue for a number
Little-known fact I was the first person to appear on Astra’s 1A satel- of well-financed companies; and
lite in 1989 when I featured on a BBC Tomorrow’s World programme. this includes Chellomedia.
Visit us at www.digitaltveurope.net
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