Central European Media Enterprises (CME) has announced that Sam Barnett, the current CEO of MBC, has been appointed as CME’s Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1st. Mike Sneesby will replace Barnett at MBC.

“I’m very happy to welcome Sam to CME. After conducting a thorough succession process, we are confident that Sam’s global expertise and leadership experience make him the right person to lead CME in the future,” said Didier Stoessel, PPF Chief Investment Officer and CME’s current CEO, responsible for the Czech and Romanian markets.

In his new role, Barnett will succeed Stoessel, freeing Stoessel to focus on his duties as Chief Investment Officer of PPF, which also includes overseeing PPF’s media investments. Stoessel has held these dual roles at PPF and CME since 2022.

Since its acquisition by PPF four years ago, CME has undergone significant transformation as it moved from a linear-focused broadcaster to a linear and digital media group.

“I look forward to Sam and CME’s senior management continuing to lead the company to even greater successes, seizing the new opportunities in the company’s ongoing digital transition across our markets,” added Stoessel.

Barnett (pictured) commented: “For over three decades, CME has always performed at the top of its game as the leading television entertainment and news source across multiple markets. The ongoing digitalization, forcing an evolution of viewing habits, is an opportunity that CME has seized. I look forward to building on this strategic advantage, maintaining CME’s pole position as the go-to source of video content in Central and Southeastern Europe.”

Barnett, a British and French citizen, will join PPF after more than two decades in senior management roles, including CEO at MBC Group, the media company in the Middle East with a daily audience of 140 million viewers. Earlier this year, as CEO of MBC, Barnett oversaw the broadcaster’s successful initial public offering of its shares on the Saudi Exchange. Before his career in broadcasting, Mr. Barnett worked in management consulting with PwC and Arthur Andersen.

As aforementioned, Sneesby is succeeding Barnett as group CEO. He most recently served as CEO of Nine Entertainment (2021–2024), Australia’s largest media company. Previously, he was the CEO and founder of Stan (2013–2021). He also served as CEO of the e-commerce platform Cudo, and as Vice President of IPTV at Intigral.

Commenting on the recent executive leadership changes, Waleed Al-Ibrahim MBC GROUP Chairma,n said: “Sam Barnett has played a key role in growing our group into a regional market leader within the competitive media and entertainment industry. I wish him great success in his move to Europe. Looking ahead, we have ambitious growth and expansion plans, and I’m confident that Mike Sneesby, along with our stellar team, will propel the group to new heights.”

Sneesby added: “I would like to thank Sheikh Waleed for his trust and support, and I look forward to working with him and the MBC Board. It is a privilege for me to join the team following Sam’s great success and leadership over many years.” Sneesby concluded: “MBC leads the way in media across the region and we will continue our growth with increasing global impact. We will deliver on this through innovation, creativity, digital transformation and our continued commitment to the production of world-leading content with fresh and compelling storytelling.”

Other posts by :

1. Russian satellite tumbling out of control
2. FCC boss praises AST SpaceMobile
3. Rakuten makes historic satellite video call
4. Rocket Lab confirms D2C ambitions
5. Turkey establishes satellite production ecosystem
6. Italy joins Germany in IRIS2 alternate thoughts
7. Kazakhstan to create museum at Yuri Gagarin launch site
8. AST SpaceMobile gets $42 or $1500 price target
9. Analyst: GEO bloodbath taking place

Categories: Articles, Business, People

Tags: broadcast, CME