SkyShowtime appoints Kai Finke as Chief Content Officer

SkyShowtime CEO Monty Sarhan today announced that former Netflix executive Kai Finke has been appointed Chief Content Officer.

Based in Amsterdam and reporting to Sarhan, Finke will lead the programming team. In this new role, Finke will oversee the vast and growing scope of the department, following SkyShowtime’s entry into original programming this year. Finke will be responsible for programming strategy, overseeing the service’s top-quality pipeline of partner studio entertainment, merchandising and scheduling, and SkyShowtime’s original programming slate and acquisitions.

Jon Farrar has decided to leave SkyShowtime following a transition over the coming months.

Finke joins SkyShowtime from Netflix, where he was one of their EMEA-based employees and most recently worked as Director of Content across multiple European markets. He has worked in production, international distribution, and acquisitions for more than 20 years, including for Munich-based distributor Telepool and for Vodafone.

He has strong relationships with leading creatives, producers, distributors, and networks throughout Europe and a proven track record of bringing local-language entertainment to SkyShowtime markets as well as global audiences.

This year, SkyShowtime will have launched 10 original series including Bosé, Codename: Annika, Fleeting Lies, Poker Face, The Invisible Ladies, The Winner, and Warszawianka. A key part of Finke’s focus will be to build on that success by bringing in new projects and acquisitions that resonate with local audiences across SkyShowtime’s markets. His mandate will also include working closely with SkyShowtime’s shareholders as well as leaders across the company to optimize subscriber acquisition, engagement, and retention.