Sarah Rose has been upped to president of Channel 5, the Paramount-owned broadcaster confirmed today.
In the role Rose will also be U.K. regional lead, overseeing both Channel 5 and its streamer platform My5 as well as the company’s local pay TV brands.
The news follows last week’s announcement that Maria Kyriacou was stepping down as Paramount Global president after four years.
Rose joined Paramount in 2020 from rival U.K. network Channel 4, where she was chief consumer and strategy officer. At Channel 4 she oversaw the channel’s move into free streaming while at Channel 5 she helped launch the company’s Canadian streaming services. During her twenty-year television career she has worked across all three of the U.K.’s largest commercial PSBs.
Chief content officer Ben Frow will remain in his role, reporting to Rose and George Cheeks while EVP and head of international advertising sales and integrated marketing Lee Sears will take on responsibility for Channel 5 ad sales.
“The U.K. is a critical and priority market for Paramount, and we continue to see success across our portfolio, from Channel 5 and My5 to Paramount+, Pluto TV and our iconic Pay TV brands,” said Pam Kaufman, president and CEO of Paramount International Networks, in an internal email as she revealed the staff changes.
“[Sarah] has a track record of delivering strategic, commercial and business success across all three of the U.K.’s largest commercial public service broadcasters, and I am confident her skills and expertise will further our strategic priorities in a meaningful way.”