Discovery names French chief

Nicolas Bonard has been named general manager, Discovery Networks France.

The appointment will see Bonard combine his role as head of the international factual channel operator in France with his role of head of Discovery Enterprises, International, the company’s global programme distribution arm.

This comes as Discovery Networks has also promoted Yitz Shmulewitz to the role of chief operating officer and chief financial officer, Discovery Networks Western Europe. Shmulewitz was previously chief financial officer. Both Shmulewitz and Bonard will report to Dee Forbes, president and managing director, Discovery Networks Western Europe.

Separately, Alexander Nielsen has been names as country manager for Norway. Nielsen, who previously research director for the Nordic region, will report to Jan Andreassen, general manager, Discovery Networks Nordic.

Dee Forbes, president and managing director, Discovery Networks Western Europe, said: “These promotions reflect the ambitious growth plans that the Western Europe business is embarking on. Over the last two years Discovery’s Western Europe business has seen considerable growth with the launch of three free to air channels in Italy and Spain and the roll-out of DNI’s flagship female lifestyle brand TLC in a number of markets including Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.  Discovery also boosted its French business earlier this year when it took a 20% stake in Televista, a pay TV female lifestyle company.”