Stvg Regulatory News (STVG)

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STV APPOINTS EXPERIENCED DIGITAL LEADER RICHARD WILLIAMS AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL DIVISION

25 July 2018

STV has appointed Richard Williams as Managing Director of its newly formed Digital division as part of an ambitious strategy to place digital front and centre of the organisation to deliver its three-year growth plan.

Williams joins STV from UKTV where he was General Manager of UKTV Play, the successful VOD service from the multichannel broadcaster behind channels such as Dave, Gold, Really and Drama.

Prior to this, Williams held high-profile digital roles at Virgin Media (Head of Digital-First Content), Yahoo (UK Head of Media and Editor-in-Chief), ITV (Director, Multiplatform Production) and BBC (Head of Multiplatform Production).

This key appointment is part of STV's three-year strategy for creative and digital growth, which will see the company invest £15m in new original content and its digital service STV Player to re-establish STV as an independent creative force in Scotland and beyond.

In the newly created role, Williams will focus on driving the growth of the STV Player - already the fastest growing broadcaster VOD service in the UK - by maximising the digital potential of STV's programming, delivering a seamless viewing experience, increasing the reach of the Player and developing exclusive and compelling digital content in partnership with STV Productions.

Richard will join STV in October 2018.

Richard Williams said: "I'm thrilled to be moving to STV at such an exciting time. The digital vision that Simon has set out for STV is compelling, and I am delighted to be joining the team in Glasgow in order to help realise those ambitions."

Simon Pitts, CEO of STV, said: "I'm delighted that Richard will head up our newly created Digital division, where we have ambitious plans to turn the STV Player into a world-class streaming service delivering a personalised "STV for everyone". Richard has a fantastic track record of overseeing successful digital strategies for a range of blue-chip media organisations and he will bring invaluable expertise and innovation to the business as we deliver strong, profitable digital growth."

Ends

For further information, please contact the STV press office:-

Ellen Drummond

0141 300 3341 / 07803 970 143

ellen.drummond@stv.tv

Anna Hendry

0141 300 3830

anna.hendry@stv.tv 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About STV

STV is Scotland's leading digital media brand, providing consumers with quality content on air, online and on demand.

STV's broadcast channel reaches 3.5 million viewers each month with first class programming including soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street, big drama productions, entertainment hits The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, strong home-grown productions and the most comprehensive local news service in the UK.

STV Productions is one of the UK's leading content businesses with ambitious plans for domestic and international growth. The company has a record of success across a range of genres, including drama, entertainment and factual, producing programmes for a variety of broadcasters. Highlights include entertainment show Catchphrase for ITV, ratings winner Antiques Road Trip for BBC One and documentaries Britain's Polar Bear Cub for Channel 4, Ross Kemp Behind Bars - Inside Barlinnie for ITV and Prison: First & Last 24 Hours for Sky1. In drama, four part thriller The Victim is currently in production for BBC One, and STV Productions recently announced a second BBC commission - 90 minute drama Elizabeth is Missing.

STV's digital business incorporates Scotland's most popular commercial media website, stv.tv, and includes an enhanced digital news app serving consumers local, national and international news as well as features, sport and weather in one place. The STV Player offers STV viewers the opportunity to enjoy programmes live or on catch-up, with over 65% of the Scottish population already signed up as a registered user.

STV content is available across platforms including iOS, Android, YouView and Samsung Smart TV.