Spotlight on Virgin Media Television, Ireland

TIME & LOCATION

Thursday 14 November, 11:30 am

End Time: 12:30 pm

The Factory

About

Belfast Media Festival provides you with an opportunity to meet the commissioning team and Director of Programming from Ireland’s commercial Public Service Broadcaster, Virgin Media Television.

Chaired by VMTV’s Ireland AM presenter and former international rugby star Tommy Bowe, the team will delve into their content strategy and the landscape of commissioning for VMTV. They will share insights into the commissioning processes, share examples of content that resonate with their target audience and how their new digital streaming platform, Virgin Media Play, is shaping strategy.

There will also be an opportunity to learn about co-pro opportunities as well as the team sharing some exciting content they are working on with local production companies and other exciting Irish IP that they are championing. The team will also share information about their talent development and shorts scheme, Virgin Media Discovers.

Meet the team, ask challenging questions, and discover how you can work with Virgin Media Television.

Chair

Tommy Bowe

SPONSOR

Panel

Anthony Nilan

Director of Programming, VMTV

Anthony Nilan is the Director of Programming for Virgin Media Television, Ireland’s largest commercial public service broadcaster. Overseeing the networks output with a remit that covers commissioning, acquisitions, and scheduling for 5 linear channels and Virgin Media Play their VOD service. Having previously held roles such as Head of Content Strategy as well as entertainment commissioner, Anthony developed a commissioning strategy that introduced innovative and impactful formats that drove growth for the network and delivered industry leading production values. Prior to joining VMTV in 2014 he worked in the independent sector for a nearly a decade.

Gareth McGreevy

Commissioning Exec, VMTV

Gareth McGreevy is the Content Executive Producer in Commissioning at Virgin Media Television. He is responsible for working across all genres of VMTV’s commissioned content and works closely with independent production companies to further develop the commissioning slate for the broadcaster. Prior to joining VMTV in April this year, Gareth worked as a freelancer after having excelled in Northern Ireland Screen’s Aim High Scheme. Gareth has produced hit series such as Gogglebox Ireland, Ireland’s Fittest Family, Don’t Look Back in Anger and Eating With The Enemy.

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Sinéad Stimpfig

Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions, VMTV

Sinéad Stimpfig is the Head of Commissioning & Acquisitions at Virgin Media Television. She is responsible for shaping and implementing VMTV's commissioning and acquisitions strategy across all genres for all platforms. Since joining VMTV in 2020, she has commissioned international drama co-productions, such as Dead & Buried and Faithless. She has championed new Irish formats, including The Clinic for Well People and Grá ar an Trá and delivered groundbreaking factual series, such as The Guards and Born Too Soon. Before joining VMTV, Sinéad worked as a freelancer for over 15 years, producing hit series, such as Operation Transformation, Daniel and Majella’s B&B Road Trip and Super Garden.

Tommy Bowe ( Chair)

Irish Television Presenter, former rugby union player

Tommy Bowe is an Irish television presenter and former rugby union player from County Monaghan, Ireland. He played on the wing for Ulster, Ospreys, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions. After his playing career, Bowe has taken up television presenting, and is a host of Virgin Media Television’s highly successful and award-winning morning television show, Ireland AM.