91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ Worldwide America today appointed Perry Simon General Manager, Channels, 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide America, responsible for the growth strategy and creative direction of 91Èȱ¬ America, 91Èȱ¬ America HD, Video on Demand, 91Èȱ¬America.com, and future content distribution platforms for the company's U.S. operations. Simon takes up his post in New York starting Tuesday, September 7, 2010, reporting directly to Herb Scannell, President, 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide America.

Simon's role will include driving programming, marketing and operations for 91Èȱ¬ America, now in 67 million homes, as well as commissioning original programming for the channel collaborating with 91Èȱ¬ public service, 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide Productions and the creative communities in the U.S. and UK.

"91Èȱ¬ America has been responsible for bringing some of the most innovative and compelling television programs to American audiences for over a decade," said Scannell. "Perry is a creative force with a proven track record of successfully developing, producing, scheduling and marketing television and has most recently been active in emerging digital platforms. He has the perfect combination of experience in television and digital media to take 91Èȱ¬ America to new heights."

"I'm delighted to be working with Herb Scannell and the entire 91Èȱ¬ Worldwide team to help extend the reach of 91Èȱ¬ America with signature, brand-defining programming and promotion," said Simon. "I look forward to developing and extending the 91Èȱ¬ America brand across all platforms in a coherent and compelling way. We will target viewers seeking quality innovative television that is ahead of the pop culture curve, and we plan to ramp up our production and acquisition activity to achieve this goal."

91Èȱ¬ America attracts one of television’s most affluent audiences, recently recorded its highest ever ratings for the sci-fi series Doctor Who, and achieved record profits for the financial year 2009/10.

Simon spent much of his career in senior executive positions at NBC, Viacom and his own Paramount-based production company, Shore View Entertainment. During his 13 years (1980-1993) at NBC, he rose to Executive Vice President of Prime-time Programs overseeing all aspects of NBC's prime-time schedule. He was instrumental in developing and supervising some of the network's most notable series, including The Cosby Show, Cheers, The Golden Girls, Law and Order, L.A. Law, Miami Vice, Mad About You, Frasier and Seinfeld.

Subsequently, he spent ten years as President of Viacom Productions, overseeing such successful shows as the Golden Globe nominated Ed (NBC), the long-running Sabrina the Teenage Witch (ABC/WB), and Levinson/Fontana's groundbreaking prison series, Oz (HBO), as well as producing over 30 Movies for Television, including the 2002 Showtime movie, Bang, Bang, You’re Dead, which earned both the Peabody Award and the Emmy for Best Family Movie.

At Simon's production company, Shore View Entertainment, he was Executive Producer on USA Network's popular science-fiction series, The 4400.

Most recently, Simon served as Chief Content Officer at advanced television service provider Sezmi Corp, overseeing the company's content licensing, programming and advertising activities since its inception in 2006. He initiated programming deals with TV and film’s biggest media companies and worked with the advertising community and Sezmi’s engineering team to develop a state-of-the-art interactive marketing platform.

Simon also served as Special Advisor to You Tube, Inc. helping the company develop and execute studio and network partnership strategies from YouTube's start-up stage through to their acquisition by Google. In the gaming sector, Simon worked with Electronic Arts to adapt several of their gaming franchises for television.

Jo Petherbridge/Amy Mulcair