The YouTube executive is stepping up its challenge to traditional TV, launching new channels and planning thousands more
*Job:* director of content partnerships, YouTube, Europe, Middle East and Africa
*Age:* 42
*Industry:* digital media
*New entry*
With all eyes on how traditional TV broadcasters will be affected by their video-on-demand rivals, Ben McOwen Wilson is shaping the future of one of their biggest challengers – YouTube.
As director of YouTube for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the former ITV executive is responsible for managing content partnerships with producers and broadcasters.
The launch of 60 new channels last year, including the Jamie Oliver Food Channel, was part of its drive to create and curate new original content, stepping up its assault on traditional TV schedules.
McOwen Wilson has said the number of online channels could eventually reach "thousands or even millions" and compared its partners to the "equivalent or similar to the cable channels in the early days", a "third wave" of TV after analogue and digital.
A former director of online at ITV, McOwen Wilson joined YouTube from the commercial broadcaster in 2010. He was previously a partner at Spectrum Strategy Consultants and a consultant at Andersen Consulting. Reported by guardian.co.uk 39 minutes ago.
*Job:* director of content partnerships, YouTube, Europe, Middle East and Africa
*Age:* 42
*Industry:* digital media
*New entry*
With all eyes on how traditional TV broadcasters will be affected by their video-on-demand rivals, Ben McOwen Wilson is shaping the future of one of their biggest challengers – YouTube.
As director of YouTube for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the former ITV executive is responsible for managing content partnerships with producers and broadcasters.
The launch of 60 new channels last year, including the Jamie Oliver Food Channel, was part of its drive to create and curate new original content, stepping up its assault on traditional TV schedules.
McOwen Wilson has said the number of online channels could eventually reach "thousands or even millions" and compared its partners to the "equivalent or similar to the cable channels in the early days", a "third wave" of TV after analogue and digital.
A former director of online at ITV, McOwen Wilson joined YouTube from the commercial broadcaster in 2010. He was previously a partner at Spectrum Strategy Consultants and a consultant at Andersen Consulting. Reported by guardian.co.uk 39 minutes ago.