O’Donoghue to head int'l TV production at NBC Universal International

O’Donoghue, who as co-founder and former chief executive of Hat Trick launched such celebrated shows as Have I Got News For You and The Kumars At No 42, will be based in London and starts work in the new post on September 14.

She replaces Angela Bromstad who becomes president of primetime entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios, based in the US.

Reporting to president of NBC Universal International Peter Smith, O’Donoghue will spearhead an expanded slate of local film and TV production and establish strategic content partnerships overseas as NBC Universal aims to double its international revenues to $5bn within two years.

The incoming executive will assume responsibility for expanding NBC Universal’s international formats licensing business, which recently brokered a second season of Law & Order UK with ITV and Kudos, following localised versions of Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in France and Russia.

“Denise has built a highly distinguished career in the television industry and she possesses that rare combination of creative excellence and sharp business acumen,” Smith said.

“Good ideas remain central to my creative and commercial choices,” O’Donoghue said. “As a producer of long standing, I know how important it is to be commercially imaginative and creatively empathetic.”