The Handmaids Tale

The Handmaids Tale

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) has restructured its worldwide television distribution team and promoted Paul Bischoff to executive vice-president of international television distribution-EMEA,

Bischoff will be responsible for all television and digital distribution in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and formerly served as senior vice-president of subscription television and sales strategy.

He led MGM’s SVOD and pay-TV deals in all international markets while managing relationships with key clients such as Netflix, Amazon, Sky Italia, Sky Deutschland, BskyB, Canal+, Foxtel, LAPTV and Telecine.

Bischoff will continue to be based out of Los Angeles and reports directly to MGM president of worldwide television distribution and acquisitions Chris Ottinger, who announced the moves on Monday (December 18).

Charlie Farmer and Alex Peschak, both based in MGM’s London office, will take on new roles. Farmer has been promoted to senior vice-president and managing director, UK, China and European co-productions, where he will be responsible for television and digital distribution in the UK and China and charged with sourcing scripted dramas and production partnerships.

He reports to Steve Stark, MGM’s president of television production and development, and will also continue to be involved in business development across Europe.

Peschak has been promoted to senior vice-president of international television distribution, EMEA, managing the London sales team and overseeing all television and digital distribution across EMEA excluding the UK. He reports to Bischoff.

“This is an exciting time for MGM,” Ottinger said. “Paul has been an integral member of the team responsible for building and implementing MGM’s international strategy and is the right person to lead our EMEA business. Charlie and Alex have unparalleled relationships and I am excited to see each of them in enhanced roles within our organization.”

“Charlie Farmer offers a wealth of knowledge about the European media community and will be invaluable in helping us expand our television production business into the European marketplace,” Stark said.

MGM Television earned 11 Emmy Awards this year for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), Fargo (FX), Shark Tank (ABC) and The Voice (NBC).