TORONTO, May 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Barbara Williams, Executive Vice President, Broadcasting and President, Shaw Media, and Keith Pelley, President, Rogers Media, announced today the appointment of David Asch as Senior Vice President and General Manager, shomi™, effective immediately. Asch will oversee day-to-day management, business strategy, and growth plans for the streaming service. Some of his near-term initiatives will include refining shomi's content strategy, evaluating opportunities for strategic partnerships and increased distribution, guiding the technology roadmap, and preparing the organization for rapid growth.
A certified popcorn and magic lover, Asch comes to shomi with more than 16 years' leadership experience in the media and entertainment industries. He has extensive expertise in content licensing, acquisition and development; and a proven track record of negotiating and implementing content agreements with movie studios, television networks, sports leagues, event promoters, and music distributors for television, DVD, and digital platform distribution.
"With exclusive content and expert human curation, I believe in shomi's potential to revolutionize the entertainment experience in Canada," said Asch. "I look forward to building on shomi's early success and making the brand a must-see, must-have service."
Asch's most recent role was Senior Vice President, Content, at Redbox Automated Retail, where he led all content, development, licensing, and acquisition activities for the leading U.S. renter of DVD content. Other professional highlights prior to joining shomi include roles as Senior Vice President, Video, Internet, and Content Services at Frontier Communications, tasked with managing satellite and IPTV video distribution and partnerships; Internet-based portal, advertising and service businesses; and online content acquisitions and distribution; and tenure as Executive Vice President at In Demand Networks (a Comcast/Time Warner Cable joint venture) leading programming, digital media, strategic planning, and business development initiatives.
"This is a time of great change in the industry – and great potential," said Williams. "David has the business savvy and vision to steer the next phase of shomi and drive its growth and leadership position in the marketplace."
"David is a respected leader, and his wealth of experience in both content and digital platforms will take shomi to new heights," said Pelley. "We have no doubt that shomi will continue to experience further growth with David at the helm."
Asch has already begun binging on shomi, his favourites being The Americans, Modern Family and The Blacklist. With plenty of popcorn, of course!
shomi is available now in beta to Rogers and Shaw Internet or cable customers, while conversations continue with other BDUs. shomi features an all-star TV content lineup of Canadian exclusives, including Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle; exclusive day-and-date releases of buzz-worthy series such as Jane the Virgin, iZombie, and The Originals; and past seasons of many of the hottest shows on television, like Sons of Anarchy, The Americans, and Vikings. Beyond TV binges, shomi offers hand-picked movie favourites and fun kids-and-family content. Canadians can enjoy shomi online and on select tablets, mobile devices, set top boxes (on Rogers Channel 300 or through the Shaw On Demand menu), and Xbox 360. shomi is newly available on Apple TV. The service is also coming soon to Chromecast.
About shomi
shomi is a streaming service that makes getting video entertainment nearly as enjoyable as watching it. Curated by people who love popcorn and magic, shomi combines the passion and knowledge of our entertainment experts with the power of technology to offer recommendations and Collections that help our members always find something good to watch. We are made in Canada. shomi is a joint venture owned equally by Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications. Want more information? Visit www.shomi.com.
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Image with caption: "David Asch, Senior Vice President and General Manager, shomi (CNW Group/shomi)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150512_C4843_PHOTO_EN_16534.jpg
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