AMC Networks’ Acorn TV, the subscription streaming video service offering British and international television, July 23 named Kerensa Samanidis to the newly created role of general manager of Acorn TV International.
A former FilmStruck executive, Samanidis is now based in Acorn’s London office. As GM, she is responsible for the overall development, management and operation of the premium TV streaming service for all markets outside of North America.
Samanidis reports to Matthew Graham, GM of Acorn TV in Bethesda, Md.
Rakhee Birdi also joined the company as marketing director for Acorn TV International. She previously led marketing at FilmStruck International and was head of subscription marketing for News Inc. in the U.K.
Called “Netflix for the Anglophile” by NPR, Acorn TV launched in 2011 offeringnew international series and/or seasons monthly from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, and other European countries.
Acorn TV last year expanded into dozens of territories including Mexico, Spain, Scandinavia, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.
Samanidis brings a wealth of expertise in OTT strategy and management having previously devised and launched services for Sony PlayStation, BFI and Turner (WarnerMedia).
“With Kerensa’s past success with streaming services, we expect her to play a vital role in our continued international growth,” Graham said in a statement.
Acorn TV International features a wide selection of international series, including “Doc Martin,” “Line of Duty,” “Manhunt,” “Jack Taylor,” “Foyle’s War,” “George Gently,” “Detectorists,” “The Secret Agent,” “The Great Train Robbery,” among others. The catalog varies slightly by country.