Digital UK, platform operator of FREEVIEW and FREESAT has rebranded as Everyone TV and unveiled a new strategy and new directors.
Owned by the UK’s leading public service broadcasters, the change in name “reflects a revised mandate for the organisation: to lead the evolution of free, universal, high-quality television, in a way that protects and strengthens the social glue provided by Britain’s broadcasting heritage.”
Freeview and Freesat will retain their consumer brand identities.
A new top-tier of Directors at Everyone TV under CEO Jonathan Thompson has also been announced.
Deep Halder, formerly Head of TV Retail & Content Services at Samsung UK is Chief Commercial Officer, Orf Warr, formerly CTO of Channel 4 is Chief Technology Officer, Sarah Milton, formerly Digital UK COO & Carl Pfeiffer, formerly Head of Distribution and Platform Partnerships, Channel 4 is Chief Product Officer (job share) and Chief Finance Officer is Eric Mitchell, promoted from Finance & Legal Director.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Digital UK, said: “Among our tasks in the years ahead is defusing a threat to universality that could catch the industry by surprise. From the Queen’s funeral to the victorious England women’s football team, shared moments of sorrow and joy, drama and poignancy, are currently brought into every British home simultaneously by our world-leading television industry. But that could be lost in a fragmented future world of TV viewing. We at Everyone TV will lead the evolution of free television services in the UK so that universality – in all senses of the word – remains a fundamental principle.”
Digital UK’s Chair of over ten years, Caroline Thomson, said: “Digital UK has come a long way since it delivered digital switchover over a decade ago. The new name very much reflects the organisation’s changed role in managing all the UK’s free TV services to the benefit of viewers and wider society. With a strong track record of delivering results, a culture built on partnerships and collaboration, and support from public service broadcasters, I’m confident it can continue to serve UK audiences and the wider broadcasting ecosystem.”
Jonathan Thompson added: “Over the coming years, the vital role of television in information and education as well as entertainment will need careful oversight to protect it. Having the right senior leaders in post at Everyone TV is critical to ensuring we can achieve our strategic objectives of successfully delivering the evolution of our free TV platforms for a digital age and supporting the health of free-to-view TV for the long term.”
As of mid-February, Everyone TV will also take up a new home in Triptych Bankside behind Tate Modern, the venue for today’s Outside the Box conference on the future of free-to-view TV.
Jon Creamer
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