Playboy Revamps TV Management to Meet Growth
 

Sat Jun 5, 8:25 AM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters Industry to My Yahoo!



LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Playboy Enterprises Inc. on Friday said it is revamping its television management, as the adult entertainment company aims to build on the growth of its domestic and global TV units.



Playboy said James English, its long-time programmer and network administrator, is leaving his posts as executive vice president and president of Playboy Entertainment Group, the division that operates Playboy's adult TV networks.


However, English will remain under contract as a consultant to advise on new shows and content. He can pursue deals with other networks as long as they do not conflict with Playboy.


In a statement, Playboy said it was looking for a new president of programming for show development, production, scheduling and other content-oriented issues.


James Griffiths, a veteran TV executive hired from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in January, will assume English's administrative duties while continuing as executive vice president of corporate parent Playboy Enterprises.


"Under Jim's tenure the company went from Playboy TV to 16 networks," Griffiths said. "This move will allow Jim to return to what he loves most, programing and channel creation, making full use of his experience and creative energy."


In recent years, Playboy has seen its TV business outstrip its publishing units in terms of revenues and growth. Publishing includes its venerable men's magazine, Playboy.


The company purchased cable TV networks that it now operates under the Spice brand, and in 2002 it acquired the controlling stake in Playboy TV international operations that were owned and operated by Claxon Interactive Group Inc.


For 2003, domestic and foreign TV revenues combined for $130.8 million of Playboy's total sales compared with $110.8 million the previous year. Publishing operations accounted for $120.7 million in revenues in 2003 versus $111.8 million in 2002.


As cable TV operators shift to digital systems, Playboy is hoping added services like video-on-demand will boost TV sales even further.