The Premium Movie Partnership (PMP) has confirmed that Sam Meers and Nuala O'Halloran - the two people who worked most closely with former acquisitions and production head Marion Pilowsky - will be covering for her.

Former business affairs director Meers becomes director of investment responsible for all film development and investment strategies in Australia. Acquisitions manager O'Halloran will continue to be responsible for all independent and Australian film purchases, but also work with Meers.

PMP provides the pay television channels Showtime Australia and Encore to platforms Foxtel and Austar and is owned by Sony, Paramount, Universal and 20th Century Fox. Under Pilowsky it was well known for its high level of knowledge and proud support of the local industry. Pilowsky has now relocated to London for the new role as international acquisitions director for UIP.

Under Australian legislation, all pay-TV drama channels must spend 10% of their programming budget on local drama content for the first time this year. The rules have been voluntary up to now. PMP will have no trouble meeting the obligation but a question mark hangs over the Movie Network, which is owned by the remaining studios and local outfit Village Roadshow. Former Seven Network executive, Tony Forrest, who has been CEO since November, has yet to outline his production strategy.