Connolly named SVP Programming for AMC
June 28, 2018
AMC Networks International (AMCNI) has announced the promotion of Patrick Connolly to Senior Vice President of Programming for AMC / SundanceTV Global. Connolly will be responsible for acquisitions, planning, global strategy and scheduling of linear and VOD programming, as well as promotion planning and on-air creative for AMC Global and SundanceTV Global. In addition, he serves as executive producer of all film festival coverage for SundanceTV Global. He will continue to report to Harold Gronenthal, Executive Vice President, Programming and Operations, AMCNI.
In this position, Connolly will oversee research directives to provide improved global context for AMC Global and SundanceTV Global programming initiatives. He will help lead the global AMCNI teams in working with other company business units to optimise synergies, and leverage opportunities with acquisitions and co-productions across all platforms. In addition, he will work with other business units to help explore and incorporate innovations, technologies and new platforms to provide additional value to partners and increase ratings and revenue streams.
“Patrick is a seasoned and talented veteran of the global television industry with expertise in programming acquisitions, planning and production across multiple genres,” commented Gronenthal. “This promotion recognizes his many contributions over the years and positions the company for even stronger growth in offering international audiences acclaimed linear and VoD content across AMC and SundanceTV Global.”
Connolly joined AMC Networks in 2011. Most recently, he was Vice President of Programming and Scheduling, AMC / SundanceTV Global. Prior to his work with AMC / SundanceTV Global, Connolly was a scheduling and programming consultant with SundanceTV in the US and Showtime. In these roles he helped with planning strategy, programme scheduling, and ratings analysis for new series.
Connolly began his career in programming at Fox, where he held various roles at Fox Kids / Fox Family / Fox Children’s Network including Director of Planning and Scheduling and Executive Director of Programming and Development, rising through the ranks and ultimately joining Fox Broadcasting where he served as Vice President of Children’s Programming. In that role he oversaw all aspects of children’s programming at the network, including acquisitions, scheduling, marketing and on-air. He also worked as a documentary programming consultant at Sundance Film Festival and as a panels programmer at Outfest and moderator at BAFTA NY.