Canal Plus names new TV chiefs

Canal Plus has named Raphaël De Andréis as deputy director-general in charge of pay TV activities and Ara Aprikian as deputy director-general in charge of free TV.

De Andréis, who was previously president of Havas-owned BETC Euro RSCG, where he advised Canal Plus and CanalSat on communications strategy, will take charge of the broadcaster’s premium and thematic channels. Aprikian, who previously worked in a number of roles for TF1, before taking a senior editorial role with Canal Plus in 2005, will look after Canal Plus’s free-to-air windows, news channel i>Télé and Bolloré’s Direct 8 and Direct Star channels, subject to regulatory approval of the latter’s acquisition.

Both will report to Rodolphe Belmer, deputy director general, editorial, at Canal Plus Group and director-general, editorial, at Canal Plus France.