ITV technology chief joins Showtime

He takes responsibility for technology across the Showtime platform, including interactive services and I.T.

The network broadcasts 46 channels of premium entertainment from the NileSat satellite via its play-out centre at Hawley Crescent, London, and multiplex in Cairo, Egypt. Regional customer service call centres are located in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

Mr Dore said: "Showtime has an impressive track record of growth because the network delivers the best in world entertainment and added value services.

"Showtime is leading the digital convergence revolution in the Middle East. It has launched the first interactive television service in the region and the first Pay Per View multiplex. The challenge is to deliver an even wider range of added value services in a multi-state region."

Peter Einstein, Showtime President and Chief Executive, commented: "I am delighted that Showtime continues to attract people of the highest calibre. Simon's track record, great managerial skills and experience will make a substantial contribution to the development of Showtime.

"The Showtime senior management team is a group of talented and experienced individuals with the drive to provide the highest standards of support for the business at a time when we are adding subscribers at a phenomenal rate."

Simon joins the company at exactly the right time to lead the company's next phase of technology development. He said: "I'm truly excited about this challenge. To build and launch an operations centre is rare, but I'm also delighted to be inheriting a team that has such a great reputation. I'm really looking forward to working with them to develop the technological infrastructure to meet the demands of the next few years."

At ITV and ITV Digital, Simon Dore was responsible for all technical operations and development, IT operations and industry government liaison. Prior to this he was Director of Channel Development for Granada, and is a former Managing Editor, BBC Worldwide Television.

Simon Dore replaces Alan Constant, SVP Engineering and Technical Operations at Showtime. One of the original launch team at Showtime, Alan will be effecting a six month handover period to Simon Dore before returning to manage his own successful broadcast consultancy company.

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