Sony hires Turner’s Hornsey and Viacom’s Muller to run UK channels

Sony Pictures Television Networks (SPTN) has named Turner executive Steve Hornsey as vice-president of its UK Entertainment portfolio and Viacom-owned Channel 5 kids chief Sarah Muller as VP of SPTN’s UK kids and youth portfolio.

Steve Hornsey

Hornsey will oversee the entertainment channel portfolio which consists of seven channels, including film services Sony Movies Channel and Movies4Men.

Muller will take responsibility for leading the programming and development of SPTN’s linear and ad-supported VOD kids’ brands including Pop, Tiny Pop, Pop Max and recently launched AVOD service Pop Fun, alongside SPTN’s music channel portfolio.

Hornsey is currently director, general entertainment UK and Northern Europe at Turner, where he has been responsible for programming Turner’s pay, free-to-air and SVOD entertainment services including TNT, truTV and TCM. Prior to joining Turner, Hornsey was general manager at UKTV overseeing Watch and alibi.

He will be taking up his new role at SPTN in April.

Sarah Muller

At Channel 5, Muller has been responsible for the kids brand Milkshake. Her previous roles including a 10-year tenure at the BBC, moving from CBBC head of acquisitions to creative director, where she developed programmes including Danger Mouse, Strange Hill High, Harriet’s Army, Wolfblood, The Dumping Ground and Just William.

Muller joins SPTN in March.

Both Hornsey and Muller will report directly to Kate Marsh, SPTN’s EVP, Western Europe, international networks and will also become part of Marsh’s regional senior management team.

Marsh said: “We are thrilled that Sarah and Steve are joining SPTN. Sarah has a wealth of experience in children’s and youth programming and I have no doubt she will lead our talented and passionate team to new successes.  Steve’s scripted planning and brand management expertise will help us cement our position as a leading free-to-air entertainment broadcaster as we continue to grow and expand our services across the UK and the region.”