Tom Cosgrove to head Discovery/IMAX/Sony 3D joint venture

June 9, 2010 by Lindsay Gibb

Discovery Communications, Sony Corporation and IMAX Corporation have named Discovery’s Tom Cosgrove (pictured) as president and CEO of the joint venture to develop the first 24/7 3D TV network.

Cosgrove comes to the venture from his current position as executive VP and COO for Discovery Channel. In this new position, Cosgrove will oversee all business and creative areas of the 3D net, with the aim of helping to drive consumer adoption of 3D televisions and establishing the joint venture as a leader in the space. The three companies completed the formation of the joint venture last week, which includes a board of directors made up of representatives from Sony, Discovery and IMAX, to which Cosgrove will report.

‘We welcome Tom Cosgrove to what is really an historic position heading up a groundbreaking 3D television network,’ said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which will be leading Sony’s involvement with the project. ‘We’re at a turning point in entertainment history, not unlike the transition from silent movies to ‘talkies’ or black-and-white to color. This is the start of something really big, and we’re excited about delivering high-quality 3D entertainment to people every day, all day.’

Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav called Cosgrove ‘an exceptional choice’ to lead the new net, saying, ‘His broad expertise across every aspect of running a successful network, from content development to marketing to scheduling, will ensure that the Discovery, Sony and IMAX 3D network plays a leading role in bringing the next-generation television experience to viewers.’

Rebecca Glashow, current SVP of digital distribution for Discovery Communications, will oversee distribution for the channel, while Amy Carney, president, advertiser sales for Sony Pictures Television, will lead advertising and promotion sales.

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