CBS Names Hopkins President of Distribution

Former YES Network COO will focus on retransmission and subscriber fees

By Jon Lafayette -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/6/2013 10:13:12 AM

In another senior level executive move, CBS Corp. named Ray Hopkins president of television networks distribution.

Hopkins, who had been chief operating officer of the New York Yankees' YES Network, will report to Joseph Ianniello, who on Wednesday was promoted from CFO at CBS to COO.

Hopkins and Ianniello will work together to secure new retransmission and affiliation agreements for the CBS Television Network, Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network, Smithsonian Networks and TVGN, the company said.

"CBS Corporation provides much of the best content in the business to cable operators, satellite providers and telco services, among others," Ianniello said in a statement. "Realizing full value from the growing number of viable distribution services is a cornerstone of the company's growth strategy. We are very pleased to add an executive of Ray's caliber -- particularly one with his wealth of relevant experience -- to bring this initiative to another level."

CBS has been growing its subscription-based income, reducing its dependence on advertising revenue, which can vary with ratings and the economy.

Hopkins spent nine years as COO at YES Network. Before that, he was executive VP of affiliate sales and marketing for Gemstar-TV Guide. Previously he was with Fox Cable Networks. He began his career at CNBC in 1989 in affiliate relations.