The European Broadcasting Union, the consortium of European public-service broadcasters, has today (Wednesday) appointed Glen Killane to the new role of deputy director of sport as it continues to revamp its approach in the sector.
A prominent figure in the sports industry, Killane (pictured) was most recently managing director of Irish pay-television broadcaster Eir Sport and Eir Television, where he was responsible for Eir’s IPTV platform and newly acquired sports channels.
Killane has strong knowledge of the EBU and its members, having served as vice-chair of the Sport Committee and president of the TV Committee. He will report into director of sport Stefan Kürten and will lead the implementation of the EBU’s new sport strategy.
With a focus on becoming more agile and flexible, growing the portfolio and widening the scope of rights, the strategy seeks to ensure that EBU Sport will continue to develop in line with members’ interests and market developments.
Killane said: “I’m very proud to be joining EBU Sport at such an exciting time. The (Fifa) World Cup in Russia is the most recent example of how public-service media and sport are intertwined, delivering huge audiences free-to-air and a shared viewer experience that unites the nation. The EBU plays a critical role in sustaining this so I am really excited to be part of its future.”
Kürten added: “(Glen’s) wealth of experience in delivering innovative and positive change and building relationships with stakeholders across Europe, make him the ideal person to help build on our excellent reputation and drive us into the future, with our new strategy and new way of working.”
Killane’s appointment is part of a wider strategic and structural reshaping of the EBU’s Sport Department which includes the appointment of Franck Choquard, formerly Eurovision Media Services head of products and marketing, as head of content and servicing, focusing on 360° content solutions for EBU sport properties.