ITV Names William van Rest Controller of ITV Play

The UK's largest commercial broadcaster, the Independent Television Network (note: the latter is generally referred to in the UK by the acronym, "ITV"), has poached William van Rest from Optimistic Entertainment--a company which he co-founded and where he served first as channel head, then as director of networks, and finally as director of strategic and corporate development--as controller of its participation TV arm, ITV Play. He will be responsible for ITV Play's programming, delivery and financial performance. ITV is set to launch ITV Play programming across its various channels later this year: its analog terrestrial channel, ITV1, currently offers a block of participation TV programming called Quizmania that is produced by FremantleMedia; and its digital channel, ITV2, offers a programming block called Play Sudoku that is produced by Optimistic. While at Optimistic, van Rest was responsible for the development and roll-out of its participation TV channel, QuizNation, which launched in 2003.

Assisting van Rest in his new role will be Tanya Carus, who has been promoted from interactive producer to commissioning editor for ITV Play. She has been employed at ITV since 2001, and, according to the broadcaster, has extensive experience in participation TV on multiple platforms. "It's great news that we have recruited someone of William's caliber to this important role," Jane Marshall, commercial development director of ITV Consumer, said in a prepared statement. "He brings a fantastic track record and experience in participation TV and is ideally placed to help ITV revenues in this growing genre. He will be working closely with Tanya in her new role to bring high-quality interactive programming under the Play brand across ITV's family of channels, on mobile and online."

and the

http://blog.itvt.com/my_weblog/2006/01/_announcing_the.html

Click http://www.itvt.com to subscribe to our free email newsletter, which contains all the news stories you see on this Web site, and additional breaking news and scoops, in-depth features, interviews, screenshots, videos, and other exclusive content you will not find anywhere else.