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Viacom CBS ends its partnership with Foxtel Media, merges sales teams

Viacom CBS, the international parent company of Network Ten, will bring sales for its Australian properties – MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV Music and MTV Dance – in house after ending its relationship with Foxtel Media.

The partnership will cease by mid-April, with Foxtel Media continuing to receive all sales bookings for Viacom CBS subscription television brands until then. The two companies will collaborate on a disengagement process, with business continuing as usual during the transition period.

The sales team behind the properties will merge with Ten’s sales team, to be led by chief sales officer Rod Prosser, who will now oversee both Ten and Viacom CBS. Viacom CBS’ senior director of ad sales and brand partnerships in Australia and New Zealand, Vanessa Winley, will report to Prosser, joining his leadership team.

Ten CEO Paul Anderson, who was recently promoted to the role of Viacom CBS’ executive vice president Australia and New Zealand, said the move will put the business in the best possible position for success.

“Today’s announcement is a great step in realising the benefits of merging the Viacom CBS businesses in Australia and New Zealand,” said Anderson.

“By aligning the sales strategy across our free-to-air and subscription TV brands, we are in the best possible position to monetise the power of our great assets.”

Prosser said: “The Viacom CBS subscription brands including MTV, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., have incredibly strong, young and loyal audiences. When you combine these brands with the strengths of Network 10’s brands and platforms, the collective offering will engage every age and every stage under 50.

“Together, we have brands, shows and events that share a sense of irreverence, a passion to immerse, inspire and engage through moments that define popular culture.”

Ben Richardson, general manager and SVP of ViacomCBS Pay Networks thanked Foxtel Media for its support.

“Foxtel Media have been great advocates of the ViacomCBS subscription channels over the past five years and I’d like to thank them for their partnership and commitment over this time,” said Richardson.

Foxtel Media CEO Mark Frain said: “We have enjoyed a successful sales partnership with ViacomCBS over the years and wish them only the very best in their future efforts.”

In 2018, Ten split from Foxtel Media (then known as MCN), and brought its sales back in-house.

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