John Kotsaftis, the founder and CEO of Showmax, has quit the video-on-demand streaming service provider owned by Naspers to join Fox Networks Group Asia, based in Singapore, where he will lead the development of subscription VOD services in 18 markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Kotsaftis, who started working in his new role this week, confirmed to TechCentral on Friday that he has relocated to Singapore. He led the team that created Showmax, which was launched to South African audiences in 2015. The video entertainment service is now available in a range of markets across Africa and Europe.
TV with Thinus, a blog focusing on the South African television industry, first reported Kotsaftis’s move earlier on Friday. According to the blog, Kotsaftis has taken on the newly created role of executive vice-president of Fox+, a subscription VOD platform.
Kotsaftis confirmed that his focus will be on Fox+, though he will also have responsibility for some other products in the group.
Fox+ is a direct competitor to big international streaming services, including Netflix and HBO Go.
Kotsaftis had been in the Naspers stable for 14 years in various role, and worked at MultiChoice from 2009 and 2015, where he was CEO of DStv Online and later DStv Digital Media. He led development of the company’s personal video recorder (PVR) products and online streaming services including movie rental platform BoxOffice. He is a previous head of product and technology at Naspers, and GM for product development at Media24’s 24.com unit.
A Showmax spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment on who will replace Kotsaftis at Showmax. Last year, Naspers announced that Showmax’s African operations would fall under its pay-television provider MultiChoice. Its operations outside Africa continue to be managed separately.
The TV with Thinus report said Kotsaftis will report to Zubin Gandevia, president of Fox Networks Group Asia. — (c) 2018 NewsCentral Media