Monty Sarhan Explained

Monty Sarhan is the CEO of SkyShowtime, a streaming service that is a joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Global.[1] [2] Sarhan was named CEO in January 2022.[3]

He previously worked at Comcast[4] as well as Epix, where he served in a number of roles including as the Executive Vice President and General Manager.[5] He was responsible for securing additional distribution for Epix and launching the Epix Now subscription video on demand service.[6] He previously oversaw the network's programming, acquisitions, and scheduling teams and was responsible for the network's short- and long-term programming strategy.[7] Part of the initial team that launched Epix in 2009, Sarhan was previously the Senior Vice President in charge of all business affairs for the network.[7] In that capacity, he worked on distribution, digital strategy, business development, programming and film acquisitions, and production deals for the network.[8] He also negotiated key agreements that allowed Epix to become the first premium network to offer subscribers access on Android devices, Roku, Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation.[9]

Sarhan left Epix briefly to serve as General Counsel and Senior Vice President of WWE,[10] [8] a publicly traded entertainment company, before returning to lead Epix's programming acquisitions.[7]

Prior to joining Epix, Sarhan worked at Viacom Media Networks, a division of Viacom, where he handled a variety of transactions, including handling console and online gaming for the MTV Games group and Viacom's then-subsidiary Harmonix Music Systems.[11] [12] [8] He was part of the team that launched the successful Rock Band video game franchise.[13] [8]

Sarhan is the former sole founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief [14] of Cracked Entertainment, the parent company of Cracked Magazine[15] and Cracked.com. In late 2005, Sarhan acquired the assets of Cracked Entertainment and reinvented the brand, taking it from a children's comics magazine [16] and relaunching it in 2006 as a comedy, satire and parody brand for 18- to 34-year-old men. Cracked.com[17] was launched in 2006 implementing Sarhan's new editorial formula [12] and has since grown to become one of the country's leading comedy sites. It is ranked in the top 400 of all U.S. sites.[18]

Prior to acquiring Cracked, Sarhan practiced corporate law in both Boston and New York City, including at the law firm White & Case.[8] He is a graduate of Tufts University, Boston University and Duke University Law School.[8] Sarhan remains active in fundraising and other activities for his alma mater.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Comcast, ViacomCBS to Launch SkyShowtime Streaming Service in Europe . Hollywood Reporter . 2021-08-18 . 2022-09-25.
  2. Web site: How SkyShowtime's CEO Aims to Shake Up the European Streaming Landscape . Hollywood Reporter . 2022-09-20 . 2022-09-25.
  3. Web site: Comcast, ViacomCBS Name Monty Sarhan CEO of SkyShowtime Streaming Venture in Europe . Hollywood Reporter . 2022-01-11 . 2022-09-25.
  4. Web site: EPIX Exec Moves into Comcast Gatekeeper Role . Cable Fax . 2019-12-19 . 2022-09-25.
  5. Web site: Mark Greenberg To Exit As Epix President & CEO . Deadline . 2017-09-29 . 2022-09-25.
  6. Web site: Comcast X1 Subscribers Can Get Epix In Early 2018 Under New Distribution Deal . Deadline . 2017-11-28 . 2022-09-25.
  7. Web site: EPIX Names Monty Sarhan as Executive Vice President of Programming, Acquisitions, Strategy and Enterprises . Wall Street Journal . 2013-10-28.
  8. Web site: WWE Names Monty Sarhan General Counsel . Yahoo Finance . 2013-02-13.
  9. Web site: Sarhan, Monty Brief Biography . Reuters . 2013-02-13.
  10. Web site: WWE Hires New GC . Connecticut Law Tribune . 2013-02-13.
  11. Web site: Distinguished Alumni | Duke University About . About.duke.edu . 2012-04-26.
  12. Web site: Monty Sarhan . LinkedIn . 2012-04-26.
  13. Web site: WWE hires man responsible for MTV Games' and Rock Band's success . The Palace of Wisdom . 2013-02-13.
  14. CRACKED Magazine Re-Launches - re> NEW YORK, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ . New York . Prnewswire.com . 2012-04-26.
  15. Web site: Wong . David . America's Only Humor Site . Cracked.com . 2012-04-26.
  16. Web site: CRACKED Online- the Internet Home of CRACKED Magazine. Replay.waybackmachine.org . 2005-02-03 . 2012-04-26 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20050203182636/http://www.cracked.com/ . February 3, 2005 .
  17. Web site: Wong . David . America's Only Humor Site . Cracked.com . 2012-04-26.
  18. Web site: Cracked.com Site Info . Alexa.com . 2012-04-26 . 2013-07-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130719225255/http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/cracked.com . dead .