A+E Global Media Hires Banijay Distribution Veteran Chris Stewart

KUALA LUMPUR, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —

A+E Global Media taps Banijay veteran Chris Stewart to bolster UK, Ireland and Germany sales as media consolidation reshapes European distribution

Stewart’s appointment underscores A+E’s push to expand its international reach, particularly in regions where Banijay—now fully integrated into All3Media—has historically dominated. His arrival follows a major leadership overhaul at Banijay, where he previously served as Senior Vice President for UK and Ireland sales before exiting alongside other executives in a post-merger shakeup. The move reflects broader industry shifts, with media companies realigning teams to adapt to changing buyer demands and platform fragmentation.

Stewart brings over two decades of experience in television distribution, having held pivotal roles at Banijay Rights as Commercial Director for Scripted Content and later as SVP for UK and Ireland. Before Banijay, he led Drama at BBC Studios (then BBC Worldwide), where he oversaw high-profile productions, and began his career at 2Entertain, a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and the now-defunct Woolworths retail chain.

His deep industry relationships and expertise in acquisitions, programming, and cross-platform sales position him as a critical asset for A+E, which has been aggressively commissioning new content—including History’s Strange Fortunes (starring Kevin Bacon), Extraordinary Origins (hosted by Ted Danson), and Buried in Barstow 2: Blood for Blood—to fuel its global expansion.

Patrick Vien, Group Managing Director of International at A+E, highlighted Stewart’s ability to navigate an evolving marketplace. “Chris brings a rare breadth of experience across sales, acquisitions, programming, and content financing, along with a deep understanding of what buyers need in an increasingly complex marketplace,” Vien said in a statement.

“His commercial instincts, strong industry relationships, and ability to identify opportunities across platforms will be tremendous assets as we continue to expand the reach of A+E Global Media’s content across these key markets.”

The timing of Stewart’s hire is significant, coming as A+E prepares to showcase its slate at MIPCOM in Cannes later this month. The annual media market serves as a critical platform for distributors to secure deals, and Stewart’s appointment signals A+E’s intent to compete directly with Banijay’s successor, All3Media, in securing European broadcast and streaming partnerships.

His focus on the UK, Ireland, and Germany—three of Europe’s largest media markets—aligns with A+E’s broader strategy to leverage its Warner Bros. Discovery-backed resources to challenge traditional European distributors.

For Malaysia’s media and entertainment sector, Stewart’s move offers a glimpse into the broader consolidation trends reshaping global content distribution. While A+E’s operations in Southeast Asia are not directly impacted, the appointment reflects how international players are restructuring their sales teams to better compete in fragmented markets. Locally, Malaysian broadcasters and streaming platforms may observe these shifts as they negotiate licensing deals, particularly for high-value international content.

The appointment also reinforces the growing influence of U.S.-backed studios in Europe, where local distributors like Banijay’s successor, All3Media, are adapting to new ownership structures.

As Stewart settles into his role, his first priority will likely be reinforcing A+E’s presence in the UK and Ireland, where Banijay had long been a dominant force. His experience in navigating mergers and market transitions—most recently at Banijay—will be tested as he works to secure partnerships for A+E’s expanding library of scripted and unscripted content.

With MIPCOM on the horizon, Stewart’s ability to identify and close high-value deals will determine whether A+E can carve out a sustainable position in Europe’s competitive distribution landscape.