Foxtel director of movies Peter Rose is stepping down next week as the pay TV giant restructures oversight of its movie division.
Rose will take on a consultancy role as the movies division is integrated into Foxtel Networks on September 28. The division will report to Ross Crowley, who is promoted to director of content and movies.
The well regarded Rose joined Foxtel in November 2012 after Foxtel bought Showtime Australia, where he was CEO for 11 years, from Universal, Sony, Fox, Paramount and Liberty Global.
Foxtel subsequently slashed the licence fees for movies by 30 per cent-40 per cent, which in part reflected the diminishing value of feature films in this multi-platform era.
Formerly Foxtel Networks director of programming and channels, Crowley was promoted to the new role of director of content strategy and programming in July as part of a management restructure orchestrated by CEO Richard Freudenstein and executive director of television Brian Walsh.
A former head of marketing at United International Pictures in London, Rose was one of the pioneers of pay TV in Australia, serving as MD of Australis for five years from 1992.
Freudenstein said in an email to staff, “Peter Rose has made a significant contribution to our success, securing some of the best movie deals for our customers through his deep knowledge of our business and his strong global industry network.
“Peter has recently made a decision that he would like to enter the next stage of his long and successful career, which is to work reduced hours for us in a consulting capacity and I am delighted to accommodate this arrangement.
“As our business continues to evolve and we ramp up our investment in content to meet the demands of a more competitive market, a decision has been made to transfer the Movies division into Foxtel Networks. The Movies division will report into Ross Crowley, in his new role as Director of Content and Movies, which will enable us to consolidate all linear products under one roof.
“Brian, Peter and Ross are still working on the combined structure and Brian will announce details once finalised.”