TORONTO – Rogers and Shaw have named David Asch as senior vice president and general manager of their jointly owned streaming service shomi, effective immediately.
Asch, (pictured), comes to shomi with extensive expertise in content licensing, acquisition and development; and a proven track record of negotiating and implementing content agreements with movie studios, television networks, sports leagues, event promoters, and music distributors for television, DVD, and digital platform distribution, reads Tuesday’s announcement. His most recent role was SVP content, at Redbox Automated Retail, where he led all content, development, licensing, and acquisition activities for the U.S. renter of DVD content. Other professional highlights include roles as SVP video, internet, and content services at Frontier Communications and tenure as EVP at In Demand Networks (a Comcast/Time Warner Cable joint venture).
In his new role at shomi, Asch will oversee day-to-day management, business strategy, and growth plans for the streaming service. Some of his near-term initiatives will include refining the service’s content strategy, evaluating opportunities for strategic partnerships and increased distribution, guiding the technology roadmap, and preparing the organization for rapid growth.
“This is a time of great change in the industry – and great potential,” said Barbara Williams, EVP broadcasting and president Shaw Media, in the announcement. “David has the business savvy and vision to steer the next phase of shomi and drive its growth and leadership position in the marketplace.”
“David is a respected leader, and his wealth of experience in both content and digital platforms will take shomi to new heights,” added Rogers Media president Keith Pelley. “We have no doubt that shomi will continue to experience further growth with David at the helm.”
“With exclusive content and expert human curation, I believe in shomi’s potential to revolutionize the entertainment experience in Canada,” said Asch. “I look forward to building on shomi’s early success and making the brand a must-see, must-have service.”
