A+E opens South Africa base

A+E Networks is launching an office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The US-based channel operator has appointed Anthea Petersen to become regional director, Africa, a move that represents A+E’s first ever hire on the continent.

Starting this month, she will be responsible for A+E’s commercial development and marketing across its African channels portfolio. She will oversee the establishment of the new unit and build a local team.

The appointment comes after A+E began launching channels in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, History, Crime + Investigation and Lifetime run in the content.

Petersen will report to Bakori Davies, who is VP of commercial operations at A+E Networks UK, the division that oversees Disney- and Hearst-backed company’s African operations.

Petersen is a former DStv Media/MNet executive who currently runs her own South Africa-based consultancy.

Davies said Petersen’s “leadership qualities and in-depth local knowledge will enable us to work more effectively with our partners and maximise growth opportunities across Africa”.

“I am pleased and excited to be joining A+E Networks at a time when the company is so focused on driving growth and expansion across Africa,” added Petersen.

In December 2013, A+E launched its first owned and operated service in Europe with the launch of A+E Networks Italy last year, and more recently bought Astro out of a Southeast Asian channels JV.

Last month, A+E’s executive VP, international, Sean Cohan, told TBI the company would next look to roll-out its female-skewed FYI brand across the globe.