RLJ Entertainment July 2 announced it has hired Catherine Mackin as managing director of Acorn Media Enterprises, the U.K.-based development division for Acorn TV, the SVOD service focused on British and international television.
Mackin, who is based in RLJ Entertainment’s U.K. office in London, replaces Shane Murphy, who is returning home to Dublin as group head of drama & comedy at RTÉ. Most recently director of program acquisitions at UKTV, Mackin will oversee Acorn TV’s license and co-production slate.
She joins Acorn Media Enterprises with more than 20 years of programming experience. At UKTV, Mackin oversaw scripted and non-scripted acquisitions, co-productions and pre-sales, including “Suits,” “Primeval” and “Murdoch Mysteries,” as well as heading up the content relationship with BBC Worldwide. She was also deputy director of programming at Ireland’s terrestrial commercial broadcaster TV3.
“With her strong experience sourcing and delivering successful content across many genres, developing long-term external relationships, and delivering content strategies for terrestrial, cable, satellite and non-linear networks, Catherine is an excellent addition to the RLJ Entertainment family and to continue AME’s growth,” Mark Stevens, CCO for Acorn brands at RLJ Entertainment, said in a statement.
Acorn TV recently announced expansion into 12 Latin American countries; commission announcements for the straight-to-series order of British drama, “London Kills” Series 1 and 2 and “Agatha Raisin,” Series 2 starring Ashley Jensen; as well as co-production announcements for Irish comedy, “Finding Joy” from Amy Huberman and Aussie comedy, “Sando”; and the licensing of hit ABC Australia drama, “Mystery Road,” starring Judy Davis and Aaron Pedersen, British police procedural, “No Offence,” “Jack Irish,” Season 2, starring Guy Pearce, and S4C drama, “Hidden with BBC Wales,” which premieres in the U.S. on July 16.