SBS appoints Tony Iffland, Director of Television
SBS has confirmed that BBC Worldwide Australia's Tony Iffland will become its new Director, Television and Online Content.
- Published by David Knox
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SBS has confirmed the appointment of Tony Iffland as its new Director, Television and Online Content.
As tipped by TV Tonight last month, the General Manager of BBC Worldwide Australia will take up the role following the exit of Matt Campbell in mid-2011.
Iffland is an impressive appointment for the broadcaster. He has worked for over 30 years with BBC and was appointed Chief Executive of UKTV in 1995. Prior to joining UKTV, he worked for over 14 years collectively with BBCWorldwide’s Australian office, including three years in the UK. He has also been Vice President of the board of Pay TV industry group ASTRA.
For SBS he will be responsible for content strategy including commissioning and acquiring content for SBS’s free-to-air television channels as well as sports broadcasting.
“I’m extremely pleased that someone of Tony’s calibre will be joining SBS. He brings a wealth of experience in both television and public broadcasting to the role,” SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said.
“He joins a talented team at SBS, responsible for some of the most critically acclaimed television content made in Australia.”
Tony Iffland added, “I am honoured and delighted to be joining SBS as Director, Television and Online Content, working alongside Michael Ebeid on the next exciting stage of its evolution. I have always admired SBS’s ability to be innovative and brave, while meeting all of its core public purposes and I am looking forward to realising this vision across a range of programs and services.
“Although I am sad to be leaving BBC Worldwide, the opportunity to lead programming at this innovative and truly unique Australian public service broadcaster was an offer that I could not refuse.”
He begins at SBS in April.
2 Responses
Here’s a word of advice for the new guy: stop the decline of SBS down the slippery PC poll.
Good appointment for SBS. Tony is not just a good guy but a smart TV operator. Been around long enough to know how to work inside a pubcaster like SBS